No matter where your operation is located, when it comes to raising cows, ensuring profitable production is at the forefront of your mind. Supporting and improving your herd's performance to maximize output requires close management and the very best inputs to ensure you stay naturally ahead.

In this issue of Science & Solutions magazine, we explore a number of topics related to improving performance. Digestarom®, the phytogenic feed additive in the BIOMIN gut performance range, delivers a number of benefits when included in rations for both calves and mature animals. Bryan Miller shares some trial results showing how Digestarom® increased milk production in an already high-performance dairy herd.

The benefits of Digestarom® can also be seen in younger animals, including beef calves. Improving creep feed palatability for nursing calves can increase feed intake, improving weight gain and ultimately increasing profits.

However, dietary supplements cannot mask poor quality raw materials. Vesna Jenkins explains the importance of getting the ensiling process right when storing forage materials. Silage makes up a big part of a total mixed ration, so making sure you start with excellent quality forage can dramatically improve herd performance. Finally, part nine in our series looking at common herd problems focuses on rumen fermentation and the importance of getting the right balance of bacteria in the gut.

Enjoy reading this issue, keeping you naturally informed.

In this issue

Boosting Milk Yield with Digestarom® Dairy An investigation into the benefits of Digestarom® Dairy has revealed its ability to boost milk production in both heifers and mature cows. In addition to its other benefits, this phytogenic feed additive from BIOMIN can reduce inflammation, putting cows in a better energy balance and enabling increased milk production.

How Creep-Feeding Calves Can Boost Growth and Profits Supplying young calves with supplementary feed enables growth rates to increase towards their maximum potential, and reduces stress during the hungry-calf gap. Creep feeding potentially delivers many benefits to businesses wishing to increase productivity, acting as the first step to greater growth and profitability at later stages.

Ensuring Excellent Silage Quality Silage is an important part of the total mixed ration (TMR) and is a valuable nutrient source for cows throughout the year. Getting the ensiling process right is vital to ensure good quality silage, and consequent herd performance.

]]>YeastMycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersRuminantsMagazinesnews-2408Tue, 11 Jun 2019 09:58:46 +0200BIOMIN Announces Positive EFSA Opinion for Digestarom® DC as Zootechnical Additive for Poultry http://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-announces-positive-efsa-opinion-for-digestaromr-dc-as-zootechnical-additive-for-poultry/
Getzersdorf 11 June 2019 – Leading animal nutrition firm BIOMIN has reached a key step in the EU registration of its next-generation phytogenic feed additive, Digestarom® DC, as a zootechnical feed additive. PhytogenicsPoultryPress Releasesnews-2406Tue, 11 Jun 2019 09:24:08 +0200Mycotoxin Survey in US corn: June 2019 updatehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxin-survey-in-us-corn-june-2019-update/
MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-2394Thu, 06 Jun 2019 08:22:00 +0200How Creep Feeding Calves Can Boost Growth and Profitshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/how-creep-feeding-calves-can-boost-growth-and-profits/
Supplying young calves with supplementary feed enables growth rates to increase towards their maximum potential, and reduces stress during the hungry-calf gap. Creep feeding potentially delivers many benefits to businesses wishing to increase
productivity, acting as the first step to greater growth and profitability at later stages.PhytogenicsRuminantsArticlesnews-2397Wed, 05 Jun 2019 10:46:00 +0200What’s Wrong With My Herd? Part 9 – Rumen Fermentationhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/whats-wrong-with-my-herd-part-9-rumen-fermentation/
The major benefit of dairy cattle lies in their utilization of forage, which enables us to use land that may not be appropriate for traditional grain crops. The symbiotic relationship with the microbial population in the rumen enables fiber that would otherwise be indigestible to be converted into microbial protein and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which are converted by the cow into a highly nutritious product within the mammary gland: milk.
However, genetic improvements in cows and the pressure for increased production have required more energy-dense products, including grains and specialty products, to be fed. This opportunity to increase protein production comes with potential problems, such as subacute ruminal acidosis.Feed PreservationRuminantsArticlesnews-2395Tue, 04 Jun 2019 09:04:36 +0200Ensuring Excellent Silage Qualityhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/ensuring-excellent-silage-quality/
Silage is an important part of the total mixed ration (TMR) and is a valuable nutrient source for cows throughout the year. Getting the ensiling process right is vital to ensure good quality silage, and consequent herd performance.Feed PreservationRuminantsArticlesnews-2393Tue, 04 Jun 2019 08:04:15 +0200Boosting Milk Yield with Digestarom® Dairyhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/boosting-milk-yield-with-digestaromr-dairy/
An investigation into the benefits of Digestarom® Dairy has revealed its ability to boost milk production in both heifers and mature cows. In addition to its other benefits, this phytogenic feed additive from BIOMIN can reduce inflammation, putting cows in a better energy balance and enabling increased milk production.PhytogenicsRuminantsArticlesnews-2392Mon, 03 Jun 2019 15:08:44 +0200Update on Necrotic Enteritis and Non-Antibiotic Solutions in Poultryhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/update-on-necrotic-enteritis-and-non-antibiotic-solutions-in-poultry/
A recap of the latest knowledge regarding necrotic enteritis and natural solutions for its control. A BIOMIN report including the latest updates from the 2nd International Conference on Necrotic Enteritis held July 11-12th 2018 in Denver, Colorado, USA. ProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryArticlesnews-2391Thu, 23 May 2019 14:00:33 +0200Monitoring Pond Water Quality to Improve Productionhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/monitoring-pond-water-quality-to-improve-production/
The proper management of pond water quality plays a significant role for the success of aquaculture operations, writes Elisabeth Mayer, BIOMIN.MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersAquacultureArticlesnews-2389Thu, 23 May 2019 13:13:52 +0200Biosecurity on Swine Farms in 4 Steps and ASF Precaution Tipshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/biosecurity-on-swine-farms-in-4-steps-and-asf-precaution-tips/
Prevention is the best medicine. Biosecurity is all about keeping pathogens out of the farm (external biosecurity), and stopping shedding of what is already present inside the farm (internal biosecurity).MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPigsArticlesnews-2388Thu, 23 May 2019 13:02:00 +0200Cost differential between cage-free laying systemshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/cost-differential-between-cage-free-laying-systems/
Moving hens into cage-free environments involves additional costs and new challenges, but egg producers can address these in part by focusing in on 5 factors. Surprisingly there is a large cost differential between types of cage-fee laying systems.PoultryArticlesnews-2384Fri, 10 May 2019 14:06:52 +0200BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Q1 2019 Resultshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/biomin-mycotoxin-survey-q1-2019-results/
Global results of 22318 analyses on the occurrence of mycotoxins –including aflatoxin, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin), T-2 toxin, fumonisins and Ochratoxin A— in crops such as corn (maize), wheat, soybean, related by-products and finished livestock feeds. MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-2382Thu, 09 May 2019 14:39:27 +0200BIOMIN Accelerates Growth with New Office Space in Indiahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-accelerates-growth-with-new-office-space-in-india-1/
To enable and accelerate growth in India, global animal nutrition firm BIOMIN has moved to a new office space in Chennai, which will facilitate in extending excellent professional services and customer support.Press Releasesnews-2370Fri, 03 May 2019 16:03:00 +0200Mycotoxin Survey in US corn: May 2019 updatehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxin-survey-in-us-corn-may-2019-update/
MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-2369Wed, 24 Apr 2019 16:35:19 +0200Solution for Better Grass Silage Quality and Higher Animal Performancehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/solution-for-better-grass-silage-quality-and-higher-animal-performance/
Making silage enables the farmer to store forage, providing a cost effective feed when required. YeastRuminantsBlog Postsnews-2365Tue, 16 Apr 2019 16:44:04 +0200BIOMIN Announces Positive EFSA Opinion for Digestarom® DC as Zootechnical Additive for Weaned Pigletshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-announces-positive-efsa-opinion-for-digestaromr-dc-as-zootechnical-additive-for-weaned-piglets/
Leading animal nutrition firm BIOMIN has reached a key step in the EU registration of its next-generation phytogenic feed additive, Digestarom® DC, as a zootechnical feed additive.PhytogenicsPigsPress Releasesnews-2360Mon, 08 Apr 2019 10:08:00 +0200Mycotoxin Survey in US corn: April 2019 updatehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxin-survey-in-us-corn-april-2019-update/
MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-2359Tue, 02 Apr 2019 09:09:37 +0200Latest series of BIOMIN Mycotoxin Academy held in Nepal, creating strong imprintshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/latest-series-of-biomin-mycotoxin-academy-held-in-nepal-creating-strong-imprints/
Following the series of successful BIOMIN Mycotoxin Academies in India and Myanmar, innovative animal nutrition company BIOMIN expanded this knowledge transfer initiative to Nepal, where over 150 delegates participated in two more academies.NewsPress Releasesnews-2358Thu, 28 Mar 2019 14:52:57 +0100PERSPECTIVES: The Global Mycotoxin Threat and What to Bear in Mindhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/perspectives-the-global-mycotoxin-threat-and-what-to-bear-in-mind/
Climate change and ever-changing extreme weather conditions continue to pose threats to feed safety as well as animal performance and health, notably under the form of the omnipresent mycotoxin problem.Presenting the results of the 2018 BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey, which involved 18,424 finished feed and raw commodity samples sourced from 79 countries, Alexandro Marchioro, Senior Mycotoxin Expert at BIOMIN warned of the damage caused but also addressed how the issue can be offset by testing and adequate feed management strategies.

“Of the 18,424 samples, a full 67% contained at least one mycotoxin present in sufficient concentrations to pose a risk to animal health or performance,” he commented.

Feedinfo News Service spoke with Mr. Marchioro to find out more about the mycotoxin threat and what solutions BIOMIN provides.

[Feedinfo News Service] How much would you roughly estimate the financial impact of mycotoxin occurrence on the global livestock industry in 2018?

[Alexandro Marchioro] It is difficult to estimate the financial impact because factors such as weather, raw material quality, the quality of grain transport and storage, etc. influence the extent of mycotoxin occurrence, and these points vary according to geography. However, recently studies in US show that mycotoxins cost the domestic livestock industry USD 1.2 billion each year, affecting all species. You can imagine that a global figure would therefore exceed this amount many times over.

[Feedinfo News Service] How can the regional differences be explained? Is climate change the main problem?

[Alexandro Marchioro] Climate change is definitely a crucial contributor to mycotoxin production on the field. As we showed in one example during our recent webinar, the situation in Argentina in the last two years demonstrates how climate changes can contribute to mycotoxin production. In that case, flooding in 2017 and drought in 2018 both drove mycotoxin occurrence levels higher, especially fumonisins and deoxynivalenol.

[Feedinfo News Service] Asia was seen to be in an “extreme risk” situation in 2018. What are you telling your concerned Asian customers at the moment?

[Alexandro Marchioro] In general Asia has seen a high risk level in 2018. In contrast to other regions, there were other concerns aside from FUM and DON. Aflatoxin was present in 44% of all samples tested in the region. This mix of mycotoxins can definitely impact the animal production, especially swine production. Additionally, we know that if these mycotoxins are present, they can open the door to several diseases. This is particularly true of the most sensitive phases, like reproduction and starters. We encourage our customers to implement robust mycotoxin risk management which includes regular testing of feed materials and the application of a safe and proven mycotoxin deactivator.

[Feedinfo News Service] Are there specific geographical markets that are just not receptive to your warning signals or the impact of the survey? Why is it necessary to continue reminding the animal nutrition sector to regularly test feed ingredients and adopt a robust mycotoxin risk management program when the animal nutrition sector “already know the drill”?

[Alexandro Marchioro] The vast majority of clients recognize the value of understanding the mycotoxin risk in their feed. In fact, the thousands of samples analyzed each year are supplied by BIOMIN customers from across the globe as part of a service that helps them to identify the specific risks they face on their farms. We are able to use the most advanced mycotoxin detection technologies available by working with sister company Romer Labs—which highlights the fact that mycotoxins are a field of expertise for not just BIOMIN but also the Erber Group, of which both companies are a part.

It’s important to keep in mind that the field of mycotoxin research only really began in the 1960s. In the early days, aflatoxins received the most attention and there was little concern given to other mycotoxins. However, official bodies have recently brought new information to the forefront, for example in 2017 when the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) underscored the potential harm of deoxynivalenol metabolites.

We already know that Fusarium mycotoxins can impair feed quality. In addition, considerable research and articles were published in the last years showing the impact of mycotoxins as fumonisins (FUM) and deoxynivalenol) DON on the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. The co-occurrence of these mycotoxins can reduce the animal performance and profitability.

[Feedinfo News Service] During the webinar you argued that the co-contamination of mycotoxins is a considerable point we should bear in mind. Can you expand on that comment?

[Alexandro Marchioro] In the past, studies focused on the harm of single mycotoxins. However, the realistic field situation typically involves multiple mycotoxins. We detected in our survey an excessive co-contamination level. 70% of all samples analyzed contained more than three mycotoxins. There are many known synergistic effects among mycotoxins, which means that the cocktail of toxins in feed causes more harm than would be expected by each toxin alone. This means more negative consequences on the farm, even sometimes at lower concentration levels.

In addition, new detection methods based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) including Spectrum Top 50 and Spectrum 380 give a fuller view of mycotoxin occurrence.

A number of less well-known ‘emerging’ mycotoxins such as moniliformin, beauvericin, enniatins and culmorin commonly found in feedstuffs alongside the ‘major’ mycotoxins and are being researched more. Several such metabolites are known to harm animals.

[Feedinfo News Service] Given the evolving nature of mycotoxins and the shifts in global mycotoxin occurrence, does it make sense today to only use mycotoxin binders? Isn’t that strategy becoming outdated?

[Alexandro Marchioro] This is a good point. Even if you select a proven and reliable binder, you’ve still only solved a part of the problem. The most common mycotoxins in our annual survey, for instance, are DON and FUM. However, neither of these mycotoxins cannot be reliably bound. A full toolbox approach that includes strategies for mycotoxin risk management is needed. Bio protection that supports animals’ natural immune system is one such strategy. Then there is of course adsorption, but the most advanced method is specific enzymatic biotransformation. It is possible to use specific enzymes that irreversibly degrade mycotoxins as FUM, DON, ZEN, OTA, ETC in non-toxic metabolites BIOMIN has pioneered this technology with the introduction of FUMzyme® to combat fumonisins in 2013.

[Feedinfo News Service] To what extent is BIOMIN using AI, data analytics and statistical models to predict what may happen in 2019? How are you preparing your customers for what may be another year of high global mycotoxin occurrence?

[Alexandro Marchioro] This is a field where we have been active for several years. The fact that the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey is the largest dataset of mycotoxin occurrence in existence provides us with a competitive advantage when it comes to big data techniques. We are currently working on ways to glean insights from such approaches in order to create value for customers.

[Feedinfo News Service] Can we expect production capacity expansions for your Mycofix® range and other mycotoxin management products any time soon?

[Alexandro Marchioro] In recent years we have more than doubled production capacity for the product range through the addition of production units in the Americas and China. A new production facility for natural, antibiotic-free mineral feeds and premixes is currently under construction in Haag am Hausruck, Upper Austria. The new site could be operational by December 2019.

And at VIV Asia 2019, we are launching FUMzyme® sol, which contains the first and only purified fumonisin-degrading enzyme and which is the first-ever water-soluble MycozymeTM in history on the market.

]]>MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsArticlesnews-2349Fri, 22 Mar 2019 09:28:00 +0100BIOMIN Announces Opening of Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Intestinal Health Concepts in Livestockhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-announces-opening-of-christian-doppler-laboratory-for-innovative-intestinal-health-concepts-in-livestock/
Vienna / Getzersdorf 22 March 2019 – Global animal nutrition firm BIOMIN has announced the official opening of a new research lab to sustainably strengthen and improve the gut health of livestock in cooperation with the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna and BOKU University in Austria. RuminantsPigsPress Releasesnews-2345Tue, 12 Mar 2019 15:22:00 +0100Science & Solutions No. 64 - Swinehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/casopisy/science-solutions-no-64-swine/
In this issue: How to improve weaned piglet performance naturally; The effect of mycotoxins on swine fertility; Nutritional strategies to prevent postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in lactating sowsChallenges in pig production: new and old

There is a constant demand for profitability and productivity in pig production, and producers must overcome challenges old and new to reach these goals.

In this issue of Science & Solutions, we will show you how to overcome these production challenges. The current tendency is to use antibiotics more prudently and stop using them as growth promoters. This creates the need to validate alternative natural nutritional additives.

One of the stages where we are most concerned with controlling health challenges is the post-weaning stage. In this edition, we will show you how using a combination of products based on organic acids, permeabilizing complexes and phytogenic additives can give consistent results, maintaining performance and controlling enteric challenges. These results make good productivity possible with fewer antibiotics and lower ammonia emissions.

We will show you how mycotoxins are an old challenge that interferes with fertility in breeding stock. Good management of mycotoxin risks will improve the reproductive indices that are critical to highly productive stock.

Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) is another significant challenge to the breeding herd, reducing colostrum and milk production, and increasing piglet mortality in the farrowing unit. One way to minimize this problem is to use phytogenics in the breeding stock, as they can reduce the incidence of PDS by modulating the microbiota, which improves gut health and also provides other benefits.

Farms that manage to control these challenges will be more productive, and probably more profitable.

IN THIS ISSUE

How to Improve Weaned Piglet Performance Naturally with Organic Acids and Phytogenic Feed Additives Piglets are especially susceptible to infectious diseases because of their immature immune systems, and piglet health must be protected as much as possible to ensure the future success of the herd. When added to the diet, a combination of organic acids and phytogenic feed additives can combat a wide range of bacteria, supporting gastrointestinal tract development and promoting optimal piglet performance.

The Effect of Mycotoxins on Swine Fertility Mycotoxins are found in most raw materials worldwide. The annual BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey indicates an increasing incidence of co-contamination, where more than one mycotoxin is found in each sample. Mycotoxins have a direct and negative effect on reproductive performance in pigs, and mitigating these is essential in high-performing pig units.

]]>MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPigsMagazinesnews-2346Tue, 12 Mar 2019 14:14:38 +0100The Effect of Mycotoxins on Swine Fertilityhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/the-effect-of-mycotoxins-on-swine-fertility-1/
Mycotoxins are found in most raw materials worldwide. The annual BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey indicates an increasing incidence of co-contamination, where more than one mycotoxin is found in each sample. Mycotoxins have a direct and negative effect on reproductive performance in pigs, and mitigating these is essential in high-performing pig units.MycotoxinsPigsArticlesnews-2344Tue, 12 Mar 2019 13:50:56 +0100How to Improve Weaned Piglet Performance Naturally with Organic Acids and Phytogenic Feed Additiveshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/how-to-improve-weaned-piglet-performance-naturally-with-organic-acids-and-phytogenic-feed-additives/
Piglets are especially susceptible to infectious diseases because of their immature immune systems, and piglet health must to be protected to ensure the future success of the herd. When added to the diet, a combination of organic acids and phytogenic feed additives can combat a wide range of bacteria, supporting gastrointestinal tract development and promoting optimal piglet performance.PhytogenicsAcidifiersPigsArticlesnews-2343Tue, 12 Mar 2019 13:41:05 +0100Nutritional Strategies to Prevent Postpartum Dysgalactia Syndrome in Lactating Sowshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/nutritional-strategies-to-prevent-postpartum-dysgalactia-syndrome-in-lactating-sows/
Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) in lactating sows is very costly, as it prevents the newborn piglet getting the vital early nutrition it needs to survive and thrive. Phytogenic feed additives can be used to support sow health before, during and after farrowing to prevent PDS from affecting herd performance.MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPigsArticlesnews-2338Thu, 07 Mar 2019 15:22:27 +0100BIOMIN Launches PoultryStar® Hatchery Gel Drop Synbiotic for Day Old Chickshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-launches-poultrystarr-hatchery-gel-drop-synbiotic-for-day-old-chicks/
Leading animal nutrition company BIOMIN has announced plans to introduce a new hatchery application of its successful PoultryStar® synbiotic at VIV Asia 2019.ProbioticsPoultryPress Releasesnews-2332Thu, 07 Mar 2019 11:48:00 +0100BIOMIN Launches FUMzyme® sol, the First-Ever Water-Soluble Solution Against Fumonisinshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-launches-fumzymer-sol-the-first-ever-water-soluble-solution-against-fumonisins/
Animal nutrition firm BIOMIN is opening a new chapter in the field of mycotoxin risk management with the introduction of FUMzyme® sol, the first-ever water-soluble purified enzyme that can be easily sprayed on extruded feed and effectively degrades fumonisins into non-toxic metabolites.“FUMzyme® sol offers feed and livestock producers a targeted method to counteract fumonisins in extruded feed using proven and reliable proprietary technology,” stated Ursula Hofstetter, Head of Global Product Management Mycotoxins at BIOMIN.

“With this development, BIOMIN becomes the only company to bring robust mycotoxin risk management to the post-extrusion stage of feed processing,” she added.

]]>MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2335Tue, 05 Mar 2019 11:32:43 +01002018 BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Resultshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/2018-biomin-mycotoxin-survey-results/
The mycotoxin survey report for the year 2018 includes 18,424 raw commodity and finished feed samples from 79 countries. To test for different mycotoxin contamination, a total of 81,936 analyses were performed. Based on this broad dataset, we present the main dangers for feed quality and animal production from the most important mycotoxins. These results provide also some insight into the mycotoxin threat in 2019. An overview of the different world regions is presented.The survey report provides information on occurrence and average contamination levels of the main well known mycotoxins, namely aflatoxins (Afla), zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2), fumonisins (FUM) and ochratoxin A (OTA). Samples have been taken from finished feed as well as raw commodities, which include among others corn, wheat, barley, rice, soybean, corn silage, oats, dried distiller grains (DDGS) and silage. For each region in the world map, an overall risk level is indicated by colour. These risk levels are based on the percentage of samples for which at least one mycotoxin exceeds the risk threshold levels for livestock. The thresholds are defined by BIOMIN and rely on years of practical experience and research. They consider the most sensitive species for each mycotoxin.]]>MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-2333Tue, 05 Mar 2019 10:49:28 +0100Mycotoxin Survey in US corn: March 2019 updatehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxin-survey-in-us-corn-march-2019-update/
Our March update from the annual Biomin® PROcheck mycotoxin survey in corn harvested in 2018 includes 521 samples from 30 states. Of the sample pool 72% are corn samples (376), 16% are corn silage (85 samples), and 12% were corn by-product (60). Below we discuss trends of each of these feed ingredients regarding mycotoxin prevalence and contamination levels.MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-2340Mon, 04 Mar 2019 09:39:00 +0100BIOMIN exhibits strong presence at Kolkata Poultry Expohttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-exhibits-strong-presence-at-kolkata-poultry-expo/
By consecutively recording its presence at Kolkata International Poultry Expo for the fourth straight year, BIOMIN became a pioneer to accord importance to east region in India and reiterated its commitment to the customers and stakeholders in this part of the country.MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryPress Releasesnews-2310Fri, 01 Mar 2019 10:24:00 +0100BIOMIN Global Mycotoxin Survey Highlightshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-global-mycotoxin-survey-highlights/
1 March 2019 – Mycotoxin-related threats to the health and performance of farm animals continue to pose a challenge to the industry, according to the recently released results from the 2018 BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey. “Climate change results in extreme weather conditions, making it one of the most influential factors contributing to variations in mycotoxin occurrence around the world”, explained Alexandro Marchioro, Senior Mycotoxin Expert at BIOMIN.

Of the 18,424 finished feed and raw commodity samples sourced from 79 countries, a full 67% of samples contained at least one mycotoxin present in sufficient concentrations to pose a risk to animal health or performance.

Main trends

Average concentrations of fumonisins in corn (maize) are high (2596 parts per billion (ppb)) in 2018.

In North America, deoxynivalenol is the most prevalent mycotoxin, reaching 67% of the total samples.

There is significant prevalence of DON and T-2 mycotoxin in cereals in Europe.

Multiple mycotoxin occurrence

A full 70% of samples contained two or more mycotoxins. Multiple mycotoxin contamination of feed presents additional problems, as certain combinations of mycotoxins are known to have synergistic effects that aggravate negative consequences for animals.

“In 2018 we detected a high prevalence of the so-called emerging mycotoxins. This is a hot topic in mycotoxin research at the moment. We need to get more insights on the impact of these substances on animal health, especially the synergistic effect with the commonly found and well known mycotoxins”, observed Mr. Marchioro.

About the survey

The annual BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey constitutes the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind, using advanced analytic tools on around 20,000 samples taken from 79 countries worldwide. The survey results provide insights into the incidence of the six major mycotoxins in the chief agricultural commodities used for livestock feed. Over 81,936 analyses were conducted to identify the presence and potential risk posed to livestock animal production.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2308Tue, 26 Feb 2019 19:20:00 +0100BIOMIN World Mycotoxin Survey Report 2018http://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/biomin-world-mycotoxin-survey-report-2018/
The new Mycotoxin Survey Report of the year 2018 reveals impacts of the main mycotoxins in 2019. In the last years, Fumonisins were the most prevalent mycotoxins globally. Also in 2018, they claim their position and are highly abundant at high concentrations in raw commodities. Get the full BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Report now!This conclusion emerged from

more than 81936 analyses

conducted on 18424 finished feed and raw commodity samples

sourced from 79 countries

from January to December 2018.

Some Highlights

Co-contamination occurs frequently. 70% of all samples (analysed for at least two mycotoxins) contained more than one mycotoxin.

From 2017 to 2018, risk in South and South East Asia increased from severe to extreme. Risk is mainly based on occurrence of Aflafoxins and Fumonisins.

In North America, Deoxynivalenol is the most prevalent mycotoxin. It poses severe risk to swine and poultry production.

Deoxynivalenol is also the most abundant mycotoxin in Europe.

Risk in South and Central America is mainly based on the occurrence of Fumonisins but also Deoxynivalenol, which is very prevalent in cereals.

In Africa, Deoxynivalenol is very abundant, particularly in corn.

Corn samples from Middle East were to 100% contaminated with Fumonisins with an average concentration of 3101 ppb.

More than 691 samples have been analysed with the Spectrum 380 method. The results show a high prevalence of emerging mycotoxins. Frequently found were for instance Aurofusarin, Moniliformin, Enniatin and more.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-2309Tue, 26 Feb 2019 19:00:00 +0100The Global Mycotoxin Threat 2019 [Infographic]http://www.biomin.net/cz/fotografie/the-global-mycotoxin-threat-2019-infographic/
Infographic about the results of the annual BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey - the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind.MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePicturesArticlesnews-2322Tue, 26 Feb 2019 17:00:00 +0100World Mycotoxin Report: Impact 2019 - Webinar Recordings [Video]http://www.biomin.net/cz/videa/world-mycotoxin-report-impact-2019-webinar-recordings-video/
On 26 February 2019, BIOMIN and Romer Labs hosted live webinar featuring an in-depth discussion on upcoming mycotoxin threats to poultry, swine and ruminants worldwide, the latest annual results of the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey, the outlook for 2019 and relevant mycotoxin detection tools to better understand and control the risk of contamination in raw materials and feed.MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureVideosnews-2323Wed, 20 Feb 2019 11:43:07 +0100Antimicrobial Stewardship Seminar at VIV Asia 2019http://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/antimicrobial-stewardship-seminar-at-viv-asia-2019/
It is our pleasure to invite you to join us at VIV Asia 2019, which will be held 13-15 March, at BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand. Join us at our booth - Hall 103, Booth #2050.MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureNewsnews-2302Mon, 18 Feb 2019 14:46:00 +0100World Mycotoxin Report: Impact 2019http://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/world-mycotoxin-report-impact-2019/
Fumonisins are still abundant at high concentrations in raw commodities in recent years, according to results from the latest annual BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey. “In recent years, fumonisins proved to be the most prevalent mycotoxins globally among the major agriculturally relevant mycotoxins, which also include aflatoxins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, T-2 and ochratoxin A,” observed Alexandro Marchioro, Product Manager for Mycotoxin Risk Management at BIOMIN.

In 2018, 68% of samples analyzed tested positive for fumonisins; corn (maize) in particular has been subjected to effects from these mycotoxins.

Fumonisins, which are produced by Fusarium proliferatum and F. verticilloides, predominantly contaminate corn and corn by-products. These molds are also responsible for producing the second most commonly found mycotoxin, deoxynivalenol, also known as vomitoxin.

Trends in different regions

“The shift in the composition of the mycotoxin threat is noticeable when comparing data sets over the years. Additionally, the co-contamination of mycotoxins is a considerable point we should bear in mind,” stated Mr. Marchioro.

Regional examples of mycotoxin risk:

In North America, deoxynivalenol is the most prevalent, reaching 67% of total samples with an average of 735 parts per billion (ppb).

96% of corn samples in Asia tested positive for fumonisins with maximum concentrations of 47,485 ppb. Aflatoxin remains a topic in Asia with 44% of prevalence in finished feed.

In Argentina, the average concentration of fumonisins rose from 2800 ppb in 2017 to 4762 ppb in 2018.

In Europe, the most prevalent mycotoxin is deoxynivalenol.

“These data underscore the importance of monitoring mycotoxin contamination, as mycotoxin occurrence varies in different regions,” he explained.

Live webinar and survey results

On 26 February 2019, BIOMIN and Romer Labs will host a live webinar on the World Mycotoxin Report with special attention to the possible impact of these mycotoxins on animals and feed producers in 2019, the potential of multi-mycotoxin analysis and innovative technologies for mycotoxin deactivation.

Two online sessions are offered in order to facilitate participation from various time zones, and the webinar is free to attend. Online registration is required at www.biomin.net. Webinar attendees will be the first to receive the 2018 BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey report.

About the survey

The annual BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey constitutes the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind. The survey results provide insights into the incidence of the six major mycotoxins in the chief agricultural commodities used for livestock feed in order to identify the potential risk posed to livestock animal production.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2312Fri, 15 Feb 2019 08:02:00 +0100Reducing the risk of Salmonella food poisoning in an age of antimicrobial resistancehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/reducing-the-risk-of-salmonella-food-poisoning-in-an-age-of-antimicrobial-resistance/
The genus Salmonella consists of more than 2,500 serovars or serotypes. Fritz Kauffmann and Phillip Bruce White classified these serotypes according to their surface antigens. The somatic ‘O’ antigen (lipopolysaccharide) and the flagellar ‘H’ antigen determine the classification. Salmonella expressing the ‘H’ antigen can be either motile or non-motile, while those expressing the ‘O’ antigen are all non-motile. Salmonella is commonly found in the intestines of healthy birds and mammals, including swine and ruminants. The most common non-motile serotypes in poultry are S. Pullorum and S. Gallinarum, which are species-specific and only occur in birds. These two serotypes target chicks and poults respectively, and have been responsible for severe financial losses to poultry producers in the past. The serotypes that are motile in poultry, referred to as paratyphoid salmonellae, cause foodborne disease (zoonosis) in humans. Paratyphoid Salmonella infections are very common, and are characterized in poultry by asymptomatic colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. This contaminates the eggs and broiler carcasses, raising concerns for public health.]]>AcidifiersPoultryBlog Postsnews-2313Thu, 14 Feb 2019 08:40:00 +0100Proving the efficacy of Biotronic® Top liquid in water sanitationhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/proving-the-efficacy-of-biotronicr-top-liquid-in-water-sanitation/
Biotronic® Top liquid reduced E. coli counts in the intestinal tract and liver, and reduced colibacilliosis lesion scores.AcidifiersPoultryArticlesnews-2316Tue, 12 Feb 2019 09:08:12 +0100How to Improve Poultry Drinking Water Quality with Acidificationhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/how-to-improve-poultry-drinking-water-quality-with-acidification/
Without enough water, chickens are unable to reach their performance potential. However, ensuring an adequate water supply is not enough. Careful and thorough water management is necessary on a daily basis to prevent any of a number of health issues that will result from poor water hygiene. Adding an acidifier to the water can help maintain water quality and promote bird performance.ProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryArticlesnews-2315Tue, 12 Feb 2019 08:31:19 +0100Science & Solutions No. 63 - Poultryhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/casopisy/science-solutions-no-63-poultry/
In this issue: How to Improve Poultry Drinking Water Quality with Acidification; 10 Tips to Control Campylobacter on Your Poultry Farm; Proving the Efficacy of Biotronic® Top Liquid in Water SanitationWater Management and Acidification

Poultry production is very complex, with many factors under constant scrutiny by managers and owners during each production cycle. The key to keeping naturally ahead is to pay special attention to all inputs, applying suitable management techniques and strategies to adjust conditions to optimize performance outputs. One farm input that is frequently overlooked in both layer and broiler units is the water supply.

In this issue of Science & Solutions, the BIOMIN team explains how important water is for poultry production, not only in terms of quantity, but also quality. Many farms simply connect to the local or town water supply without checking its quality or cleanliness. The use of organic acids can dramatically improve the quality of water by decreasing bacterial counts. Additionally, lowering the pH of the water in the crop can indirectly improve the digestibility of the feed, leading to further performance benefits.

Campylobacter is one of the biggest concerns on any poultry farm. Although research is ongoing, there is no vaccine against Campylobacter currently available. Birds are able to carry Campylobacter without showing any signs, which makes control of these bacteria particularly difficult. As Mark Karimi and Richard Markus explain in the second article, prevention is the best way to tackle Campylobacter, and they offer ten tips on doing so.

In this issue

How to Improve Poultry Drinking Water Quality with Acidification Without enough water, chickens are unable to reach their performance potential. However, ensuring an adequate water supply is not enough. Careful and thorough water management is necessary on a daily basis to prevent any health issues that may result from poor water hygiene. Adding an acidifier to the water can help maintain water quality and promote bird performance.

]]>AcidifiersPoultryMagazinesnews-2314Mon, 11 Feb 2019 16:39:54 +010010 Tips to Control Campylobacter on Your Poultry Farmhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/10-tips-to-control-campylobacter-on-your-poultry-farm/
Understand the scope and extent of the risk posed by Campylobacter in broilers, and apply these 10 tips to make improvements to food safety.ProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryArticlesnews-2311Fri, 08 Feb 2019 14:00:41 +0100Factors affecting eggshell qualityhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/factors-affecting-eggshell-quality/
Much has been said of the huge genetic development in broilers over the last 50–60 years. However, over a similar time, the commercial laying hen has been transformed from a seasonal layer into the highly productive modern hybrid we have today. This has involved a change from birds producing two or to three clutches a year, to layers with the capacity to produce 500 eggs in a 2-year life cycle.PhytogenicsProbioticsPoultryBlog Postsnews-2305Mon, 04 Feb 2019 16:26:01 +0100Mycotoxin Survey in US corn: February 2019 updatehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxin-survey-in-us-corn-february-2019-update-1/
Our February update from the annual Biomin® PROcheck mycotoxin survey in corn harvested in 2018 includes 483 samples from 30 states. Of the sample pool 73% are corn samples (352), 16% are corn silage (76 samples), and 11% were corn by-product (55). Below we discuss trends of each of these feed ingredients regarding mycotoxin prevalence and contamination levels. MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-2304Mon, 04 Feb 2019 15:18:41 +0100Mycotoxin Survey in US corn: February 2019 updatehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxin-survey-in-us-corn-february-2019-update/
Our February update from the annual Biomin® PROcheck mycotoxin survey in corn harvested in 2018 includes 483 samples from 30 states. Of the sample pool 73% are corn samples (352), 16% are corn silage (76 samples), and 11% were corn by-product (55). Below we discuss trends of each of these feed ingredients regarding mycotoxin prevalence and contamination levels. Corn

98% of ground corn samples were positive for at least one mycotoxin, vs 89% in 2017

These contamination levels present MEDIUM to HIGH risk for all livestock and poultry species depending on toxin and feed ingredient type. Overall, producers in the Midwest should be on the lookout for the impacts from deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, while Southern states should be vigilant regarding fumonisin and aflatoxin contamination.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-2303Thu, 31 Jan 2019 16:55:15 +0100The importance of maintenance nutrient requirements during periods of high feed priceshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/the-importance-of-maintenance-nutrient-requirements-during-periods-of-high-feed-prices/
Animal production around the globe is continually subjected to challenges around sourcing feed ingredients at the right price, and/or of the desired quality and/or with consistent supply. If periods of high feed ingredient prices also occur at the same time as depressed meat prices, as is currently seen in many parts of the world, the animal producer is placed under considerable financial stress.]]>PhytogenicsPoultryPigsArticlesnews-2301Thu, 31 Jan 2019 14:15:28 +0100How to improve water hygiene in poultry productionhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/how-to-improve-water-hygiene-in-poultry-production/
Water – A critical but often forgotten resource]]>AcidifiersPoultryArticlesnews-2300Thu, 31 Jan 2019 11:08:43 +0100How to Improve Swine Herd Performance through Promoting Sow Lactation Feed Intakehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/how-to-improve-swine-herd-performance-through-promoting-sow-lactation-feed-intake/
Inadequate feed intake can severely limit swine herd performance. In the early lactation phase, most sows will be in some form of energy and amino acid deficit. With a reduction or deficiency of feed intake, there will be lower milk production and subsequent decrease in piglet growth rates and litter weaning weight. Unfortunately, these piglets may also be more prone to disease, have higher mortality rates, and show reduced growth rates throughout the production cycle. ]]>MycotoxinsPhytogenicsAcidifiersPigsArticlesnews-2295Thu, 24 Jan 2019 13:10:19 +0100The effect of Digestarom® on poultry meat qualityhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/the-effect-of-digestaromr-on-poultry-meat-quality/
The poultry industry has shown a great deal of interest in broiler meat quality in recent years, probably because consumer preference for poultry meat has changed considerably in this period. Photo: iStockphoto_branex]]>PhytogenicsPoultryBlog Postsnews-2275Tue, 22 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0100[WEBINAR] World Mycotoxin Report: Impact 2019 http://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/webinar-world-mycotoxin-report-impact-2019/
Molds that produce mycotoxins in grain and feed had a busy 2018. This year, animals and feed producers will begin to feel their impact.
What were the mycotoxin hotspots of 2018? How will mycotoxins impact farm animals and feed producers in 2019? How can you develop or optimize your strategy to confront them?MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureNewsnews-2287Mon, 21 Jan 2019 11:00:42 +0100BIOMIN booth in Poultry India Expo witnesses increased footfallhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/biomin-booth-in-poultry-india-expo-witnesses-increased-footfall/
The BIOMIN booth in Poultry India 2018, an international exhibition for the poultry industry, was buzzing with activity this year and continued to attract considerable footfall.MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryNewsPress Releasesnews-2271Mon, 07 Jan 2019 10:44:05 +0100Mycotoxin Survey in US corn: January 2019 updatehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxin-survey-in-us-corn-january-2019-update/
Our January update from the annual Biomin® PROcheck mycotoxin survey in corn harvested in 2018 includes 378 samples from 29 states. Thus far, clear trends of mycotoxin prevalence and contamination levels were observed.

95% of samples were positive for at least one mycotoxin, vs 91% in 2017

68% of samples had more than one mycotoxin, vs 44% in 2017

Aflatoxin prevalence has jumped to 9% vs 3% in 2017, with average contamination levels increasing over 8-fold

Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) prevalence has decreased to 73% vs 78% in 2017, with average contamination level increasing by 28%

Fumonisin prevalence has increased to 70% vs 45% in 2017, with average contamination levels increasing by 57%

Zearalenone prevalence has increased to 47% vs 32% in 2017, with average contamination level increasing by 29%

These contamination levels present MEDIUM to HIGH risk for all livestock and poultry species. Overall, producers in the Midwest should be on the lookout for the impacts from deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, while Southern states should be vigilant regarding fumonisin and aflatoxin contamination.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-2255Fri, 04 Jan 2019 07:55:00 +0100Mycotoxin Survey in US corn: December 2018 updatehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxin-survey-in-us-corn-december-2018-update/
This report is based on 232 samples of 2018 corn harvest from 25 different states.MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-2268Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:02:40 +0100Mycotoxins in Forages – What about my Pastures?http://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/mycotoxins-in-forages-what-about-my-pastures/
Throughout history, outbreaks of illness and disease in humans and animals have occurred where the true cause was unknown. Such challenges have fueled the pursuit of identifying causal agents such as a bacteria, viruses or fungi. Advances in knowledge and science have contributed to building tools in diagnostics, prevention, and treatments which improve our ability to face such challenges. The issue of mycotoxins has been a story that took longer to be understood since advanced chemistry techniques were required to detect these toxic chemicals produced by certain fungi.MycotoxinsRuminantsBlog Postsnews-2261Wed, 02 Jan 2019 10:01:00 +0100A Summary of the Research on Fumonisins in Aquaculturehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/a-summary-of-the-research-on-fumonisins-in-aquaculture/
The first article in this issue of Science & Solutions explained the current knowledge on fumonisins in aquaculture. Here is a summary of the research on fumonisins in different aquaculture species. If you have any questions about fumonisins and how they might be impacting your business, please get in touch with the BIOMIN aquaculture team.MycotoxinsProbioticsAquacultureArticlesnews-2258Tue, 01 Jan 2019 10:28:00 +0100Science & Solutions No. 62 - Aquaculturehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/casopisy/science-solutions-no-62-aquaculture/
In this issue: Current Knowledge about Fumonisins in Aquaculture; Why You Should Use a Combination of Beneficial Bacteria in Aquaculture; A Summary of the Research on Fumonisins in AquaculturePerformance Management

Awareness and education levels within the aquaculture industry are constantly rising, to the benefit of the industry as a whole.

Increased awareness about problems such as mycotoxins and anti-nutritional factors are of benefit to farmed species as it allows improvements in management styles and systems used based on this new knowledge. While much of the information comes from investigations and trials using terrestrial animal species, there is an increasing amount of research based on aquatic species. The available research into fumonisins is summarized on page 15 and illustrates not only the work already done, but also the gaps in knowledge that still need to be addressed.

Keeping naturally ahead in aquaculture means being open to change and innovation. Improvements in our knowledge about the complexity of the gut environment has increased our understanding of how best to support it, enabling the animal to optimize its use of high quality feed. As explained in our second article on page 10, it might be better to update the probiotic in the feed to one that contains multiple strains of beneficial bacteria rather than taking the traditional singlestrain approach. When was the last time you reviewed your probiotic regiment?

In this issue of Science & Solutions, we start by reviewing current knowledge about fumonisins. This mycotoxin was found in the majority of raw material and finished feed samples tested as part of the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey in 2017, a trend which is likely to continue through 2018 and beyond. Are fumonisins negatively affecting your performance indicators?

I take this opportunity to wish you all a very successful and prosperous New Year on behalf of everyone at BIOMIN. We look forward to keeping you naturally ahead in 2019 and in the future. Enjoy reading this issue of Science & Solutions, keeping you naturally informed.

In this issue

Current Knowledge about Fumonisins in Aquaculture Fumonisins have gained significant recognition in recent years. In 2017, the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey found that fumonisins were the predominant contaminant in raw material and finished feed samples across the world. Rui Gonçalves and Michele Muccio share the latest knowledge about fumonisins in aquaculture and highlight the importance of preventing synergistic interactions between different mycotoxins.

Why You Should Use a Combination of Beneficial Bacteria in Aquaculture The gut is a complex environment and needs support in a number of ways. Expecting maximum colonization from a single strain of beneficial bacteria is optimistic and often unrealistic. Benedict Standen explains why using a probiotic with a combination of species is more beneficial to aquaculture performance and production.

]]>MycotoxinsProbioticsAquacultureMagazinesnews-2260Thu, 27 Dec 2018 10:50:32 +0100Why You Should Use a Combination of Beneficial Bacteria in Aquaculturehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/why-you-should-use-a-combination-of-beneficial-bacteria-in-aquaculture/
The gut is a complex environment and needs support in a number of ways. Expecting maximum colonization from a single strain of beneficial bacteria is optimistic and often unrealistic. Benedict Standen explains why using a probiotic with a combination of species is more beneficial to aquaculture performance and production.ProbioticsAquacultureArticlesnews-2259Thu, 27 Dec 2018 10:32:45 +0100Current Knowledge about Fumonisins in Aquaculturehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/current-knowledge-about-fumonisins-in-aquaculture/
Fumonisins have gained significant recognition in recent years. In 2017, the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey found that fumonisins were the predominant contaminant in raw material and finished feed samples across the world. Rui Gonçalves and Michele Muccio share the latest knowledge about fumonisins in aquaculture, and highlight the importance of preventing synergistic interactions between different mycotoxins. MycotoxinsAquacultureArticlesnews-2253Thu, 20 Dec 2018 12:39:00 +0100Proper sampling - Achieving the most reliable results when analyzing for mycotoxinshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/proper-sampling-achieving-the-most-reliable-results-when-analyzing-for-mycotoxins/
Negative analytical results do not necessarily mean that there are no mycotoxins in the feed. Mycotoxins still can be present on crops for two main reasons: MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-2125Thu, 13 Dec 2018 17:25:00 +0100Quo Vadis Global Meat Industry 2050http://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/quo-vadis-global-meat-industry-2050/
The Challenge: The scourges of pestilence, famine, wars, and earthquakes have come to be regarded a blessing to overcrowded nations, since they serve to prune away the luxuriant growth of the human race
Tertullian, Historian of the Roman Empire, in De Anima, AD 209PoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesVideosnews-2124Thu, 13 Dec 2018 16:53:00 +0100Industry 4.0 – Transforming the Feed and Feed Ingredients Industryhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/industry-40-transforming-the-feed-and-feed-ingredients-industry/
A strong wind of change is moving the animal feed and feed ingredients industryPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesVideosnews-2241Tue, 04 Dec 2018 08:35:44 +0100Global Feed to Meat Industry Outlookhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/global-feed-to-meat-industry-outlook/
Shaping the Industry for improved Competitiveness
Presentation held by Nan-Dirk Mulder, Rabobank International, The Netherlands, during the World Nutrition Forum 2018 in Cape Town.PoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesVideosnews-2122Mon, 03 Dec 2018 15:10:00 +0100S.C.O.P.E: Scientific Challenges and Opportunities in the Protein Economyhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/scope-scientific-challenges-and-opportunities-in-the-protein-economy/
How to Lead Successfully by Science & Speed & Service – Chances – Organization 4.0 – Partnership – Entrepreneurship
This is the keynote presentation held by Erich Erber, Founder and Head of Supervisory Board, ERBER AG and Dr. Jan Vanbrabant, Chairman of Executive Board, ERBER Group, during the World Nutrition Forum 2018 in Cape Town.PoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesVideosnews-2239Fri, 30 Nov 2018 10:26:02 +0100Kick-Off: Project D4Dairy startedhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/kick-off-project-d4dairy-started/
In this project, BIOMIN performs an extensive mycotoxin survey in Austrian dairy farms with feed components being analysed for more than 400 fungal metabolites. By matching mycotoxin occurrence with dairy health and performance data, potential interlinks will be revealed. The rumen microbiome might also interfere with mycotoxin contamination, wherefore we use next generation sequencing techniques to unravel the effects of relevant mycotoxins on the rumen microbiome in vitro (rumen simulation technique, RUSITEC).
Results will contribute to our understanding of mycotoxins as possible trigger factor for impaired dairy health. Since climate change effects mycotoxin contamination levels in feed, our findings will be of importance for dairying beyond the duration of this project.RuminantsPress Releasesnews-2234Tue, 27 Nov 2018 16:11:00 +0100Mycotoxin Survey in US corn: November 2018 updatehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxin-survey-in-us-corn-november-2018-update/
Mycotoxins, fungal metabolites produced by common molds capable of infecting almost all types of grains, are toxic to animals and humans. As part of the Biomin® PROcheck mycotoxin risk management program, annual surveys are conducted to assess the occurrence of mycotoxins in the new corn crop from the United States of America.MycotoxinsSpeciesArticlesnews-2224Wed, 21 Nov 2018 13:47:44 +0100Researchers underscore importance of specific approach towards studying mycotoxins in aquaculturehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/press/researchers-underscore-importance-of-specific-approach-towards-studying-mycotoxins-in-aquaculture/
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by molds due to the deterioration of the agricultural ingredients used in the production of the feed. BIOMIN, a global leader in mycotoxin risk management, has been developing tailored approaches for an effective detoxification of mycotoxins in animals through more than 20 years of scientific research. MycotoxinsAquacultureIn the PressArticlesnews-2220Wed, 21 Nov 2018 08:29:00 +0100What’s Wrong With My Herd? Part 8 - Sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA)http://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/whats-wrong-with-my-herd-part-8-sub-acute-ruminal-acidosis-sara/
Though not easily detected, sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) can have a serious impact on milk production, general health and longevity. It is caused by an imbalance between the production of volatile fatty acids, their absorption by the rumen wall, and the buffering mechanisms of the rumen.
Technically, a bout of SARA occurs when rumen pH drops below 5.8 for at least three hours (or pH 5.6, or even 6.0, according to other authors). Fiber digestion is reduced and noticeably affects production. It can also result in lower feed intake, lower feed efficiency, and hoof problems (laminitis).YeastMycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsFeed PreservationAcidifiersRuminantsArticlesnews-2221Tue, 20 Nov 2018 09:22:00 +0100Keeping Aflatoxin Out of Milkhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/keeping-aflatoxin-out-of-milk/
Aflatoxin contamination is one of the biggest concerns dairy producers all over the world face. But the risk of contamination can be reduced by close management of the feed, ensuring it is of the highest quality, and by applying an effective and selective mycotoxin binder.YeastMycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsFeed PreservationRuminantsArticlesnews-2223Thu, 15 Nov 2018 10:40:00 +0100Science & Solutions No. 61 - Ruminantshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/casopisy/science-solutions-no-61-ruminants/
In this issue: Ensure Pre-Weaned Calf Health by Focusing on These 5 Key Areas; Keeping Aflatoxin Out of Milk; What is Wrong With My Herd? Part 8: Sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA)Promote higher performance levels

The dairy industry is changing. In general terms, demand for milk and milk products around the world is on the rise. Increasing economic pressures including the rising cost of inputs and tighter margins mean that any dairy unit has to be run with precision.

Genetic improvements have given animals the ability to produce more milk than ever before, and technological improvements in milking parlour equipment are delivering a huge amounts of information to managers. Management techniques therefore have to be adapted to meet and optimize the changing needs of the dairy herd in order to keep naturally ahead.

In this issue of Science & Solutions, we explore the topic of herd management in detail, firstly focusing on pre-weaned calves. Although not directly contributing to farm outputs, calves are the future of the dairy herd so taking care of them is of utmost importance. Paige Gott draws attention to five key areas of calf management that cannot be overlooked if performance levels are to be maximized.

Aflatoxins are of major concern to dairy producers because of their ability to contaminate final milk products. Exposure to aflatoxins can be a risk to human health, hence the level of importance of eliminating aflatoxins in dairy production. Various strategies can be employed to this effect, but as Tim Jenkins highlights in our second article, the most important strategies are to ensure feed quality, and to apply an effective and selective mycotoxin binder.

Finally, we continue our series on herd health, this time focusing on sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA). Enjoy reading this issue of Science & Solutions, keeping you naturally informed.

In this issue

Ensure Pre-Weaned Calf Health by Focusing on These 5 Key Areas Raising healthy calves is crucial to the success of a dairy operation as heifers are the future of the milking herd. While calves do not directly contribute to the output of the farm, it is tempting to cut costs and lower management standards for this group of animals. However, focus on five key areas should be maintained to ensure future herd profitability.

Keeping Aflatoxin Out of Milk Aflatoxin contamination is one of the biggest concerns faced by dairy producers all over the world. But the risk of contamination can be reduced by close management of the feed, ensuring it is of the highest quality, and by applying an effective and selective mycotoxin binder.

]]>YeastMycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsFeed PreservationAcidifiersRuminantsMagazinesnews-2219Wed, 14 Nov 2018 16:01:14 +0100Ensure Pre-Weaned Calf Health by Focusing on These 5 Key Areashttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/ensure-pre-weaned-calf-health-by-focusing-on-these-5-key-areas/
Raising healthy calves is crucial to the success of a dairy operation as heifers are the future of the milking herd. As calves do not directly contribute to the output of the farm, it is tempting to cut costs and lower management standards for this group of animals. However, focus on five key areas should be maintained to ensure future herd profitability.YeastMycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsFeed PreservationRuminantsArticlesnews-2218Wed, 14 Nov 2018 10:47:02 +01007 Lessons Learned from 20 Years of Mycotoxin Detoxification Researchhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/7-lessons-learned-from-20-years-of-mycotoxin-detoxification-research/
For the development of tailored approaches for an effective detoxification of mycotoxins in animal nutrition, it is important to keep in mind several lessons we have learned over the course of more than 20 years of scientific research.MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-2209Mon, 12 Nov 2018 14:01:06 +0100BIOMIN Mycotoxin Academy - A Resounding Success in Myanmarhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/biomin-mycotoxin-academy-a-resounding-success-in-myanmar/
Over 150 professionals from leading companies in the feed and livestock sector participated in the Mycotoxin Academy held across three major cities in Myanmar - Yangon, Mandalay and Taunggyi - from 30 October to 1 November 2018.MycotoxinsPhytogenicsPoultryNewsnews-2207Fri, 09 Nov 2018 12:56:10 +0100BIOMIN World Mycotoxin Survey Q3 2018http://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/biomin-world-mycotoxin-survey-q3-2018/
The new Mycotoxin Survey Report for January - September 2018 confirms that mycotoxin levels remain a concern to animal production worldwide.MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog PostsMagazinesArticlesnews-2201Tue, 06 Nov 2018 10:30:00 +0100BIOMIN to Introduce Latest Phytogenic Innovation Digestarom® DC at EuroTierhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-to-introduce-latest-phytogenic-innovation-digestaromr-dc-at-eurotier/
06 November 2018 – BIOMIN is set to launch its newest phytogenic feed additive (PFA), Digestarom® DC at EuroTier 2018 in Hannover, Germany, as it introduces the next generation product to feed and livestock producers in countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. PhytogenicsAcidifiersPoultryPigsPress Releasesnews-2200Mon, 05 Nov 2018 09:31:27 +0100What is a Mycotoxin Binder?http://www.biomin.net/cz/videa/what-is-a-mycotoxin-binder/
Michele Muccio (Product Manager - Competence Center Mycotoxins, BIOMIN) explains how mycotoxin binders work, how effective they are and how to achieve absolute protection.MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureVideosnews-2199Fri, 02 Nov 2018 10:23:11 +0100Mycotoxin Binder Definition and Application in Farm Animalshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/mycotoxin-binder-definition-and-application-in-farm-animals/
A mycotoxin binder is a substance that is added to animal feed in small quantities in order to trap mycotoxins, preventing them from entering the blood stream where they can cause serious harm to your animals.MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-2186Tue, 30 Oct 2018 10:20:46 +0100Can Fumonisins negatively affect aquaculture specieshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/can-fumonisins-negatively-affect-aquaculture-species/
Fumonisin, a threat to aquaculture - Awareness of mycotoxin-related issues in aquaculture is increasing with the growing trend towards using plant-based ingredients in feeds. Although plant-based meals seem to be one of the most promising and viable solutions to replace fishmeal, a common problem arising from their use is the presence of mycotoxins. Of all the mycotoxins identified to date, fumonisins have been highlighted in recent years due to their increasing levels, especially in cereal grains. MycotoxinsAquacultureArticlesnews-2183Mon, 29 Oct 2018 09:44:00 +0100Improving the diagnosis of deoxynivalenol ingestion in rainbow trouthttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/improving-the-diagnosis-of-deoxynivalenol-ingestion-in-rainbow-trout/
Future growth and sustainability of the aquaculture industry depend on the sector’s ability to identify economically viable and environmentally friendly alternatives to marine-derived ingredients.MycotoxinsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-2175Wed, 24 Oct 2018 11:34:51 +0200Further development of FUMzyme® authorized under Regulation (EU) 2018/1568http://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/further-development-of-fumzymer-authorized-under-regulation-eu-20181568/
October 24, 2018 - The recent Regulation (EU) 2018/1568 that was released on the 18th of October 2018 on further development of the FUMzyme®, a fumonisin bio-transforming enzyme, is testimony to BIOMIN’s ongoing commitment to research-based innovation. The authorization was the consequence of the positive opinion of EFSA earlier this year. The enzyme itself is business as usual for BIOMIN as it has already received EU authorization of FUMzyme® in swine and, just 2017, in poultry also. MycotoxinsPoultryPigsPress Releasesnews-2178Wed, 24 Oct 2018 09:17:00 +0200BIOMIN Named Best Premix Feed Producerhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-named-best-premix-feed-producer/
BIOMIN clinched the Best Premix Feed Producer Award at the 9th VIETSTOCK Vietnam Feed & Livestock Industry Award Ceremony endorsed by the Department of Livestock Production—Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2165Mon, 22 Oct 2018 11:43:48 +0200WNF 2018 Highlightshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/videa/wnf-2018-highlights/
Highlights of the World Nutrition Forum 2018 in Cape Town, South AfricaPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureVideosnews-2161Wed, 17 Oct 2018 13:17:09 +0200BIOMIN demonstrates gut performance management and aquaculture expertise at VIETSTOCK 2018 http://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/biomin-demonstrates-gut-performance-management-and-aquaculture-expertise-at-vietstock-2018/
BIOMIN is proud to support the valuable exchange and connection between professionals in the animal protein value chain in Vietnam and surrounding countries as a gold sponsor at the VIETSTOCK 2018 Expo & Forum. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), is held from 17-19 October 2018 at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. BIOMIN will showcase its innovative line of solutions at its booth #C25, including:

AquaStar®, a multi-strain probiotic product specifically designed for aquatic species

The new generation of the world’s leading mycotoxin risk management solution, Mycofix® 5.0

In addition, BIOMIN will also introduce BASF’s latest phytase Natuphos® E and Natugrain® TS, a feed enzyme containing highly purified NSP-degrading enzymes. BIOMIN and BASF entered into a strategic partnership earlier in the year to bring both Natuphos® E and Natugrain® TS to the Vietnamese market.

Besides a 60-sqm booth at the event, BIOMIN experts will be presenting at VIESTOCK.

]]>MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureNewsnews-2159Wed, 17 Oct 2018 11:12:36 +0200Vietnamese delegation visits BIOMINhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/vietnamese-delegation-visits-biomin/
On Tuesday October 16, 2018 the internationally operating ERBER Group welcomed a delegation from Vietnam at the BIOMIN Research Center Tulln. The delegation was led by Vietnam’s Prime Minister S.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who came to visit BIOMIN together with several members of the Vietnamese government and high-ranking members of a trade delegation.PoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2155Tue, 16 Oct 2018 14:55:26 +0200[Interview] BIOMIN MD Looks at Industry Concerns and World Nutrition Forum Take-Home Messageshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/press/interview-biomin-md-looks-at-industry-concerns-and-world-nutrition-forum-take-home-messages/
The recent 2018 World Nutrition Forum (WNF) is over and its host BIOMIN is now in the process of absorbing and acting on the plethora of information and highlighted opportunities presented in Cape Town, South Africa (3-5 October 2018), where market outlooks, consumption patterns and updates on the fast pace of technological advancement were given.Dr. Jan Vanbrabant, Managing Director of BIOMIN and CEO of ERBER Group explained how BIOMIN supports the industry in a press conference during the event: “Our goal has always been to support sustainable agriculture, now and in the future … Our main contribution to sustainability is the application of our solutions in livestock”, he said.

Shortly after the WNF, Feedinfo News Service touched base with Dr. Vanbrabant to discuss some of the event’s highlights and reflect on some of the company’s developments in the past year.

[Feedinfo News Service] Dr. Vanbrabant, why was it important for you to host the WNF in South Africa this time? What parallels can be drawn between the ideas put forward during the WNF and BIOMIN’s own strategy in African markets?

[Jan Vanbrabant] At this 8th World Nutrition Forum, a scientific congress which takes place every two years, we hosted 800 delegates from 76 countries, and over 40 experts shared their views. Our choice to host the event in South Africa gives us the opportunity to reflect on the future when it comes to the broader economy, our industry and BIOMIN as a company. By 2050 a quarter of the world’s population will live in Africa. While Asia has been the economic engine in recent years, Africa could likely emerge as a second one. It has huge potential. The consumption of meat, eggs and dairy will accelerate dramatically, creating business opportunities throughout the feed and food chain.

We have been serving clients in sub-Saharan Africa starting with a dedicated business unit in 2011. We’ve had growing success in serving feed and animal producers in South Africa and made investments in staff and capabilities to extend the BIOMIN solutions offering to other sub-Saharan markets. On October 2, we also hosted the kick-off of the MycoSafe-South project to combat mycotoxins in the region. Our participation in that effort is designed to drastically reduce mycotoxin exposure in animals and limit mycotoxin carryover into food products. It is one example of the many concurrent activities conducted by our R&D teams in conjunction with a global network of 200 universities and research institutions.

[Feedinfo News Service] What were the main concerns/market challenges in the minds of the Cape Town audience?

[Jan Vanbrabant] Different markets are facing their own specific challenges, depending on the species and region of the globe. The topics varied, ranging from tariffs and potential trade wars, to how to maintain competitiveness, ways to apply new scientific knowledge and technologies, addressing environmental and welfare concerns and reducing the application of antibiotics in food-producing animals. But it is possible to situate all of those topics under one umbrella: the need for sustainability. Sustainability means delivering win-win outcomes that benefit people, the environment and the economy. At BIOMIN, it has always been our mission to promote natural, novel technologies to support a sustainable agriculture sector. We do this by leveraging considerable scientific knowledge to enhance animal health and performance profitably. That is a core idea that we apply everywhere on the globe.

One clear message that was expressed that can apply to all market players is that the main challenge we’re facing is how to support animal gut integrity and gut health, which drives performance and profitability. Success with that business driver has numerous benefits, e.g. less disease prevalence, better efficiency, improved environmental footprint, greater food security.

[Feedinfo News Service] What were the main future market opportunities for Biomin and the industry in general discussed at this year’s WNF?

[Jan Vanbrabant] The plenary session moved from an economic and market outlook, to the most promising new ag-tech tools. Several technological developments have advanced at a remarkable pace in recent years—including mycotoxin detection, next-generation sequencing and Farm 4.0 tools.

The gut performance session emphasized recent scientific research and trends in regards to the prevalence of antibiotic resistance on farms and preventive, holistic methods to reduce antibiotics in farm animals. The mycotoxin session brought to light how climate change may shift mycotoxin contamination patterns, how statistical models enable us to predict likely mycotoxin challenges before the samples from a harvest are tested, and the newest development in our research and development of mycotoxin-deactivating recombinant enzymes.

The ruminants break out session had a number of take-home messages. All major exporters have challenges to meet low cost of extra production. Globally, there are socio-economic and cultural challenges: companies must respect the license to operate, which repeats the need for sustainability. On the animal side, we explored the immune system and gut health particularly in the transition period. There is a clear cost to leaky gut –there’s more science that has been done in the monogastrics in this respect— and this is exacerbated during heat stress.

For poultry, the discussion focused on antibiotic reduction. Several major players in North America have shifted anywhere from 70% to 100% of their output to ‘No Antibiotics Ever’ (NAE) production in recent years. This makes it important to maintain performance and overcome key pathogenic challenges such as coccidiosis, necrotic enteritis, Salmonellosis, etc. A tailored combination of strategies that includes synbiotics, organic acids, phytogenic, mycotoxin deactivators and vaccines can achieve this in conjunction with proper biosecurity and management.

For swine, antibiotic reduction and disease management, along with closing low birth weight gaps were hot topics. Our research team evaluated the current state of biomarkers for mycotoxicosis, and concluded that further work is needed to make these methods commercially practical.

Finally, in aquaculture, antibiotic reduction and the replacement of fishmeal and fish oil in diets continued to dominate the discussion—as mycotoxins make their presence in feed felt to a greater extent in both cases. Our participation in the fish-free feeding (F3) competition last year attests to the commercial viability of fish-free diets for fish and shrimp.

[Feedinfo News Service] In late September 2018, BIOMIN broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Austria, which is scheduled to begin operating in December 2019. Can you talk about your ambitions for this plant? And in November 2017, you opened a manufacturing plant in Wuxi, China. How is this plant coping with market demand from China?

[Jan Vanbrabant] We are excited to build a facility in the proximity of our existing production unit. While we are pursuing growth in all markets, it is important to point out that we still see room to expand in our home market of Europe. Moreover, as a private, family owned firm, our shareholders have affirmed their wish for BIOMIN to remain independent and pursue a constant rate of growth for the foreseeable future. That is clearly ambitious, because as the organization becomes bigger, scale comes into play—yet we remain confident. We see growth opportunities in many parts of the world, and we have just created separate dedicated regional business units for Africa and for China.

The new production facility in Wuxi has enabled us to extend advanced mycotoxin detection service to Chinese customers and to meet the growing demand for Mycofix®. Our solutions offering continues to grow alongside our customer base, and we have further plans to add to that portfolio, with an emphasis on gut performance technologies.

[Feedinfo News Service] One of the highlights for BIOMIN this past year was also the overall increase in global uptake of the gut performance portfolio. Can you tell us more about the success of PoultryStar® and the global roll-out of Digestarom® DC, a phytogenic feed additive, in 2018?

[Jan Vanbrabant] As a microbiologist, I honestly believe that PoultryStar® is the best poultry probiotic on the market, and its commercial success can be seen as a reflection of that. It is the only multi-strain probiotic with EU authorization, and the strains themselves were identified from the gastrointestinal tract of healthy birds—meaning that it is “from poultry, for poultry.”

In the years soon after its founding in 1983, BIOMIN had already introduced a probiotic premix to the Austrian market, which was marketed as an antibiotic-free feeding solution. This was in many ways very ahead of its time, and there’s no direct line from that product to PoultryStar®. However, it shows the direction of BIOMIN from the outset was to offer natural solutions that support a sustainable and profitable livestock industry.

Regarding Digestarom® DC we continue to bring the power of plant-based substances to the protein industry. The novelty of this product is that it combines the best of both worlds when it comes to phytogenic substances, encouraging feed uptake and delivering bioactive ingredients to targeted areas of the gastrointestinal tract with the aim of enhancing feed conversion. The initial introduction of Digestarom® DC at VIV Asia garnered a lot of interest and customers in Asia Pacific markets have adopted it. Since then, we have submitted EU dossiers for zootechnical authorization for piglets and broilers, and these are under review.

We are proceeding with the global roll-out, which is still in progress. In November we will launch Digestarom® DC at EuroTier for swine, poultry and feed customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and later carry on to the Western hemisphere to complete the worldwide campaign.

[Feedinfo News Service] 2019 is approaching fast. What can we expect from BIOMIN’s R&D teams next year?

[Jan Vanbrabant] We continue to work on our portfolio of mycotoxin-degrading recombinant enzymes, or mycozymes, of which FUMzyme® was the first commercial example—and a clear success. We are looking at further development and extension of the mycozyme concept, as well as alternative applications e.g. for bioethanol or silage.

Our application of –Omics technologies in the context of Farm 4.0 will proceed, as we have invested in a trial facility equipped with metabolic units along with the IT and bioinformatics infrastructure to analyze the data that is generated.

Furthermore, we are finalizing agreements for a new ruminant trial facility in the United States, which will become the latest addition to our Centers for Animal Nutrition (CAN) global network.

]]>MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureIn the Pressnews-2154Mon, 15 Oct 2018 17:34:58 +0200BIOMIN congratulates VAM on 30 years of veterinary excellence and participates in VAM Congresshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/biomin-congratulates-vam-on-30-years-of-veterinary-excellence-and-participates-in-vam-congress/
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Veterinary Association Malaysia (VAM). BIOMIN extends its heartfelt congratulations for the association‘s 30th anniversary celebrations.For 30 years, VAM has been upholding its mission of attaining a high standard of professionalism, while contributing towards the enhancement of animal health, welfare, animal production and public health. The association has continuously provided support to veterinarians of Malaysia and a valuable platform for exchange of information. It has also demonstrated a sustained commitment in developing excellence in all areas, and keeping pace with the changing needs of the livestock and pharmaceutical industry. This commitment to lifelong learning and professional advancement is distinctive and impressive.

At the upcoming VAM Congress held 19-20 October 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, BIOMIN is honored to have the privilege of delivering two oral presentations by Dr. Justin Tan, Regional Sales & Marketing Director, BIOMIN Asia-Pacific.

]]>PoultryPigsNewsnews-2153Tue, 09 Oct 2018 13:07:00 +0200BIOMIN Hosts 8th World Nutrition Forum in Cape Town, South Africahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-hosts-8th-world-nutrition-forum-in-cape-town-south-africa/
Innovative animal nutrition company BIOMIN hosted 800 delegates from 76 countries in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 to 5 October 2018. The theme of the scientific conference was S.C.O.P.E. or “Scientific Challenges and Opportunities in the Protein Economy.”
Over 40 expert speakers from industry and academia from across the globe explored the latest market trends and scientific developments relating to food-producing animals. In addition, delegates enjoyed opportunities for networking and experiencing the richness and diversity of local culture.MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2151Sat, 06 Oct 2018 11:39:22 +0200World Nutrition Forum 2018 in Pictureshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/fotografie/world-nutrition-forum-2018-in-pictures/
Photo gallery of the WNF 2018 in Cape TownPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePicturesnews-2147Fri, 05 Oct 2018 13:30:00 +0200BIOMIN Recognizes B.R.A.I.N. Award Winner Konrad Domig at 2018 World Nutrition Forumhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-recognizes-brain-award-winner-konrad-domig-at-2018-world-nutrition-forum/
5 October 2018 – In the presence of 800 delegates, Prof Dr Konrad Domig of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) was awarded the biennial B.R.A.I.N. award on the second day of the 2018 World Nutrition Forum, a scientific conference hosted by BIOMIN, this time in Cape Town, South Africa.PoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2150Fri, 05 Oct 2018 11:59:58 +0200Mycotoxin Survey 2018: First Insights into Regional Harvest Resultshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/mycotoxin-survey-2018-first-insights-into-regional-harvest-results/
As in previous years, BIOMIN is conducting a worldwide mycotoxin monitoring program (BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey). The sample collection and data collection is currently in full swing but an outlook on the harvest data for parts of Central and Southern Europe (Austria, Germany and Italy) is already available and can be shared. Due to the early warmth in spring and beginning of summer, harvest started and finishes generally very early this year. Therefore, the full results of this year's harvest will be published shortly. MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-2149Fri, 05 Oct 2018 11:25:41 +0200When the threat pops uphttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/when-the-threat-pops-up/
The presence of the highly toxic Aspergillus flavus metabolite Aflatoxin B1 causes a dangerous health risk not only to animals but also to humans, which is proven by a recent incident in Austria. MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-2148Fri, 05 Oct 2018 10:46:22 +0200BIOMIN highlights the impact, prevalence and management of mycotoxins in poultry at 4th WVPAAMhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/biomin-highlights-the-impact-prevalence-and-management-of-mycotoxins-in-poultry-at-4th-wvpaam/
The biennial WVPA Asia Meeting (WVPAAM) 2018 was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 1-2 October 2018. This year, the theme Detection & Control of Poultry Diseases was selected to bring new inspirations and ideas on the diagnostics and prevention of diseases, which significantly affect the poultry industry all over the world. The Meeting aimed to provide an ideal forum to stimulate ideas and establish collaborations as well as to initiate intense discussions among experienced scientific intellectuals and leaders from the industry.At the two-day conference, BIOMIN Asia-Pacific Regional Technical Director Dr. Tan Seong Lim delivered a compelling presentation on the impact, prevalence and management of mycotoxins in poultry. He spoke of the impact of mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins on poultry. Dr. Tan explained that mycotoxins lead to a decrease in performance, reproductive disorders, immunosuppression, and result in higher susceptibility to diseases, which are major concerns for the industry. The findings from the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Program supported the cause for concern—an overwhelming 74% of samples tested in 2017 contained at least one mycotoxin type above the risk level. Dr. Tan stressed that co-contamination, or multiple contamination of mycotoxins, is a serious threat as the synergistic effects of mycotoxins impact animals on a much larger scale than single mycotoxins. Therefore, a sound mycotoxin risk management strategy is needed to effectively counteract the negative effects of mycotoxin in animals.

Dr. Tan concluded his presentation succinctly, stating, “Mycotoxins can affect poultry in many ways, ranging from liver damage, gizzard erosions and reproductive failures, to immunosuppression that leads to decreased vaccine efficacy and increased susceptibility to common poultry diseases. Other effects include increased intestinal disruption due to physical damage to the intestinal epithelium, poor feather production and uneven growth. All of this results in economic losses to the producer. Different mycotoxin risk management strategies need to be adopted in order to successfully tackle this menace. A three-pronged approach, such as one offered by Mycofix®, deploying adsorption, biotransformation and bioprotection strategies, works best to mitigate the negative effects of mycotoxicoses in poultry.”

BIOMIN is proud to support the collaborations among experienced scientific intellectuals and leaders from the poultry industry at the 4th WVPAAM as a gold sponsor. To find out more about mycotoxin risk management and Mycofix®, please visit: https://www.biomin.net/en/mycotoxins-blog

Pigs in intensive production systems face many challenges that deserve to be managed carefully because of the greater genetic potential of highly prolific sows and the high levels of lean meat production during the fattening period.

There is a lot of pressure on feed conversion due to the limited accessibility to affordable and fresh feed ingredients, and from pathogenic and environmental stressors or toxins such as mycotoxins and endotoxins. To overcome these challenges, many countries have started to regulate antibiotic and feed additive usage because of potential risks to human health or environmental contamination. Endotoxins are released during the replication or lysis of bacteria. In healthy animals, the gut acts as a barrier to endotoxins entering the blood. Yet in times of environmental, nutritional or metabolic stress, gut permeability can increase, allowing endotoxins to enter the blood stream, weakening the immune system and impairing animal performance. Pigs are continuously exposed to endotoxins throughout their lives. In this issue of Science & Solutions, we keep you naturally ahead by sharing three articles containing different management tips on how to maximize feed conversion through establishing a stronger health status and higher body condition score at the early stage of the pig’s life, as well as enhancing gut protection by adding selective feed additives to swine diets. Industrial conditions are not always favorable for the production of high-quality pork that converts into high profits to producers. This edition of Science & Solutions provides you with a scientific and practical view, continuing our emphasis on natural and sustainable ways to help producers improve livestock productivity and profitability.

In this issue

Are You Managing Your Endotoxin Risk? Endotoxins are released during the replication or lysis of bacteria. In healthy animals, the gut acts as a barrier to endotoxins entering the blood. Yet in times of environmental, nutritional or metabolic stress, gut permeability can increase, allowing endotoxins to enter the blood stream, weakening the immune system and impairing animal performance. Mycofix® included in the diet can combat the negative impact of endotoxins.

Can Antibiotic Growth Promoters Be Replaced With Phytogenic Feed Additives? Increasing consumer demand and regulatory pressures mean many swine feed formulations no longer include antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). Unless AGPs are replaced with a suitable alternative, a performance gap might open up due to energy being used to fight pathogenic challenges rather than for growth. Phytogenic feed additives have anti-inflammatory properties, making them a viable alternative.

]]>MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsPigsMagazinesnews-2141Wed, 03 Oct 2018 09:00:00 +0200BIOMIN Sees Vision, Business Aligned with a Sustainable Livestock Future as It Further Commits to Africahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-sees-vision-business-aligned-with-a-sustainable-livestock-future-as-it-further-commits-to-africa/
Cape Town / Getzersdorf 3 October 2018 – Many of the factors influencing the feed and livestock industry can be understood as a ‘mega-trend’ of sustainability—setting a trajectory that promises to shape the future protein economy, according to BIOMIN.PoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2143Wed, 03 Oct 2018 07:31:00 +0200Guarantee Swine Herd Success By Following These 10 Management Tipshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/guarantee-swine-herd-success-by-following-these-10-management-tips/
Piglets and sows are the two most important groups of animals in a swine herd. Follow these 10 tips to help get the most from your herd.PhytogenicsPigsArticlesnews-2144Mon, 01 Oct 2018 14:36:01 +0200Can Antibiotic Growth Promoters Be Replaced with Phytogenic Feed Additives?http://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/can-antibiotic-growth-promoters-be-replaced-with-phytogenic-feed-additives/
Growing consumer demand and increasing regulatory pressures mean many swine feed formulations no longer include antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). Unless AGPs are replaced with a suitable alternative, a performance gap might open up due to energy being used to fight pathogenic challenges rather than for growth. Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) have anti-inflammatory properties, making them a viable alternative.The use of AGPs in the animal feed industry has been decreasing due to their link with antimicrobial resistance. Concerns around increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance has resulted in AGP bans in several countries. In 2006, the use of AGPs in animal feed was banned in the EU. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) brought in new rules sharply curtailing the routine use of antibiotics on farms across the US.

Since the restriction of AGPs, the animal feed industry has faced the big problem of finding adequate replacements in order to sustain and even increase output to meet the growing demand for animal protein worldwide. The main mode of action of AGPs is assumed to be their antiinflammatory properties (Niewold, 2007), hence alternative products with similar effects on the inflammatory system are highly sought after.

]]>PhytogenicsPigsArticlesnews-2142Mon, 01 Oct 2018 11:20:25 +0200Are You Managing Your Endotoxin Risk?http://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/are-you-managing-your-endotoxin-risk/
Endotoxins are released during the replication or lysis of bacteria. In healthy animals, the gut acts as a barrier to endotoxins entering the blood. Yet in times of environmental, nutritional or metabolic stress, gut permeability can increase, allowing endotoxins to enter the blood stream, weakening the immune system and impairing animal performance. Mycofix® included in the diet can combat the negative impact of endotoxins.]]>MycotoxinsPigsArticlesnews-2137Tue, 25 Sep 2018 08:43:32 +0200Essential oils and parasite control in aquaculture http://www.biomin.net/cz/press/essential-oils-and-parasite-control-in-aquaculture/
Parasite control in aquaculture is becoming a major end goal of feed additive R&D, says a researcher. Read the full article here: https://www.feednavigator.com/Article/2018/09/24/Essential-oils-and-parasite-control-in-aquaculture]]>PhytogenicsAquacultureIn the Pressnews-2134Mon, 24 Sep 2018 11:05:38 +0200BIOMIN Participates at 2nd MycoKey International Conference in Wuhan Chinahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-participates-at-2nd-mycokey-international-conference-in-wuhan-china/
2nd MycoKey International Conference – Integrated Solutions for Mycotoxin Management was held in Wuhan, a beautiful river city in China, on September 16 to 18, 2018. Co-sponsored by Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China Society of Plant Protection and Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Mycokey conference aims to develop innovative and comprehensive solutions and urge the stakeholders to continuously and effectively manage mycotoxin in the food and feed production.

With the global warming, changing of cultivation systems and polarization of toxic fungi in recent years, the ever increasing mycotoxin pollution has imposed huge challenges to the global food safety, economy and trading. Mycokey is a special inter-governmental cooperation project jointly supported by China’s National Key R&D Plan and European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program.

]]>MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2120Mon, 24 Sep 2018 09:12:00 +0200Novel –Omics Technologies and Nutrition Becoming Key to Understand and Reduce Antibiotics in Farm Animals http://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/novel-omics-technologies-and-nutrition-becoming-key-to-understand-and-reduce-antibiotics-in-farm-animals/
24 September 2018 – As consumer demand and regulatory scrutiny further restrict the use of antibiotics in farm animals worldwide, new understanding enabled by gene sequencing-based technologies and a new approach to animal rearing will be crucial. “The resistance of bacteria against antibiotics is a growing worldwide concern in the field of animal husbandry, and more importantly in human medicine,” observed Dr Mahdi Ghanbari, Scientist at BIOMIN Research Center.

Industry practitioners face a set of challenges when it comes to maintaining high performing, healthy and profitable animals while at the same time using fewer or no antibiotics.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2132Fri, 21 Sep 2018 12:15:43 +0200BIOMIN Malaysia Announces Move to New Office Space to Support Rapid Growthhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-malaysia-announces-move-to-new-office-space-to-support-rapid-growth/
BIOMIN, the global leader in mycotoxin deactivation and gut performance management, has moved its Malaysia office to the Meru Industrial Park in Klang, Selangor.BIOMIN is expanding its presence in Malaysia with a new integrated office space in Klang, the main port-city gateway into the country.

“This new location strengthens the presence of BIOMIN Malaysia and offers an integrated facility for the sales, support and distribution of BIOMIN products throughout the country,” said Steven Tan, Managing Director of BIOMIN Malaysia. “Our continued growth in Malaysia over the last 26 years has necessitated this relocation to a bigger office and warehouse space in Klang, Selangor. It is our pleasure to celebrate our ongoing commitment to the industry on 18 September, at the official opening of our new office.”

Standing at 7,315 sq. ft and designed with wood elements, the new three-storey building reflects the BIOMIN innovative company goals that focus upon delivering natural, safe and quality products to its customers. In addition, it houses a conference center, and an expanded, dedicated warehousing facility to serve customers better.

Getzersdorf/Lower Austria, September 20, 2018 – BIOMIN, an affiliated company of ERBER Group that develops sustainable, antibiotic-free and top-quality animal nutrition products for healthy and profitable animal production, recently broke ground on a new production site.

Located in the state of Upper Austria, the facility is scheduled to begin operating in December 2019 and marks the firm’s further expansion and growth.

“We have decided to invest in Austria in a sustainable and forward-looking way. This is proof that ERBER Group’s significant international growth is also manifest in Austria. The new BIOMIN production site is only one of several big steps in the years to come,” said Jan Vanbrabant, PhD, ERBER Group CEO at the groundbreaking ceremony for the production site in Haag am Hausruck, Upper Austria.

The new production site will produce natural, antibiotic-free mineral feed and premixes, which help to increase the performance of swine, poultry, and dairy and beef cattle in an economic way. The construction phase will take 12 months and production at the new site will be fully operational from December 2019.

Markus Edlinger, MBA, Managing Director BIOMIN added, “We are very happy that construction will start soon. The new site will only be 20 minutes by car from the existing production facility. We are building one of the world’s most modern mineral feed production sites here in Upper Austria, and it will be the basis of ERBER Group’s strategy for the future.”

Member of the Austrian National Parliament, Manfred Hofinger, who came to the groundbreaking ceremony on behalf of Upper Austrian Governor Thomas Stelzer, and Konrad Binder, Mayor of the Upper Austrian municipality of Haag am Hausruck attended the ceremony.

They expressed their pleasure about the start of the construction, “We are proud that an international group of companies like ERBER and its affiliate BIOMIN are investing a euro amount in the double-digit millions in a site here in Haag am Hausruck. This permanently safeguards jobs and strengthens added value for the entire region on a long-term basis.”

]]>PoultryRuminantsPigsPress Releasesnews-2123Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:54:55 +02003rd Aquaculture Conference 2018: Recent Advances in Aquaculture Researchhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/3rd-aquaculture-conference-2018-recent-advances-in-aquaculture-research/
The 3rd Aquaculture Conference: Recent Advances in Aquaculture Research, which will be held from 25-28 September 2018 in Qingdao, China, will bring together top senior scientists in all of aquaculture’s disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research areas.

Rui’s presentations address one of the main constraints when studying deoxynivalenol (DON) impact on aquaculture species, which is the lack of DON-induced clinical symptoms. In order to understand the reasons behind the lack of clinical manifestation, two experiments were set up to evaluate and elucidate the impact of DON on rainbow trout, by exploring new tools and evaluating new diagnostic factors, which may be used later by the industry as a standard to better diagnose DON intake in fish.

Michele’s presentation focuses on the occurrence of main mycotoxins in plant-based ingredients that are commonly used in aquaculture, and that were analyzed in the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey 2018. The presentation will show the contamination trends comparing the results from 2018 with the last years with the aim to provide a broader picture on how mycotoxin occurrence patterns are evolving and what could be the consequences for producers.

The results that will be presented at the 3rd Aquaculture Conference: Recent Advances in Aquaculture Research are certainly one step further to help the industry to understand the impact of DON.

Details of the presentations:

Impact of deoxynivalenol on rainbow trout: Digestibility and metabolism

The topics discussed at the conference include emerging aquaculture science areas of sustainability science, social-ecological systems, ornamental, conservation and restoration sciences as they relate to the development of aquaculture. For more information on the 3rd Aquaculture Conference: Recent Advances in Aquaculture Research, please visit

]]>AquacultureNewsnews-2121Tue, 18 Sep 2018 13:22:40 +0200Climate change, farming and mycotoxins: Welcome unpredictability!http://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/climate-change-farming-and-mycotoxins-welcome-unpredictability/
The global climate is changing, bringing with it more extreme, unpredictable weather events and often higher mycotoxin contamination.MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog PostsArticlesnews-2119Mon, 17 Sep 2018 10:33:44 +0200The Effect of Mycotoxins on Swine Fertilityhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/the-effect-of-mycotoxins-on-swine-fertility/
Swine fertility has a significant effect on farm profitability. Along with other factors, the number of pigs produced per sow per year defines the production cost per pig. It is crucial to sustain reproductive indices like litter size, number of farrowings per year and productive days at a high level.

]]>MycotoxinsPigsBlog Postsnews-2118Mon, 17 Sep 2018 10:17:17 +0200BIOMIN Takes Mycotoxin Academy to More Regions in Indiahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-takes-mycotoxin-academy-to-more-regions-in-india/
Following the success of the first edition of Mycotoxin Academy concept in India in July, BIOMIN in association with its supply chain partners extended the success streak to four more locations in India.

A total of over 500 customers and poultry players participated in these Academies, which facilitated knowledge transfer between BIOMIN experts and customers. The events were also the testimony to the commitment by the innovative feed additive firm in creating awareness about the mycotoxin risk awareness in India and providing innovative solutions to the problem.

Following the first leg of Mycotoxin Academies in north India in July, the second leg of these signature events began in Hyderabad. On August 14, the event was held at Radisson Hitec City in Hyderabad, followed by another event in Coimbatore, held at Le Meridien on August 16.

At the Coimbatore Mycotoxin Academy, Dr A Natarajan, Professor and Head, Animal Feed Analytical and Quality Assurance Laboratory of Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal participated as guest speaker and offered invaluable insights to the participants.

The final leg of the Mycotoxin Academies began in Pune on August 29 at Hotel Conrad, followed by another event at Hotel Swissotel in Kolkata on August 30.

In his introductory speech, Edward Manchester, Regional Director, BIOMIN Asia Pacific highlighted the company values and explained that Mycotoxin Risk Management and Gut Health Management are the two pillars for BIOMIN. “R&D is the cornerstone for BIOMIN and we are the first and only company with an EU authorization of three ingredients in the group of feed additives for mycotoxin deactivation,” he added.

Participating in all the Mycotoxin Academies as lead speaker, Eileen Han, Regional Product Manager – Mycotoxin Risk Management, BIOMIN Asia-Pacific explained about the risks and impacts of mycotoxins in poultry with data from BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Report.

“When it comes to counteracting mycotoxins, the poultry industry tends to think of ‘toxin binders’ first. However, clay mineral binders are not an effective answer to all major mycotoxins,” said Ms Han, and added that a combination of different strategies like biotransformation and bioprotection can counteract the negative effects of mycotoxins in poultry more completely.

It may be noted that the key to the effectiveness of Mycofix® product line from BIOMIN is its three-pronged strategy of mycotoxin control, namely: biotransformation, adsorption and bioprotection.

Gangga Widyanugraha, Regional Technical Sales Manager – Poultry in his presentation on “Feed testing and Necropsy” highlighted the prevalence of mycotoxin in poultry in India. He also quoted various instances of the mycotoxin risks he found from the extensive postmortem analyses of birds he had done across India.

Keerthivasan Chandrasekar, Digital Marketing Executive in his presentation on the digital media initiatives being done by the company in India and pointed out that staying connected with the official social media handles of the company on Facebook and Twitter will be of immense benefit to the farmers.

BIOMIN has conducted the Mycotoxin Survey Program annually since 2004 and the accumulated number of samples is already over 75,000, which makes the program the largest worldwide data pool for mycotoxin analyses.

On the success of Mycotoxin Academies in India, Sujit Kulkarni, Managing Director, BIOMIN India commented that the company has now reached all key locations in India in creating awareness about mycotoxin risk management.

“It is a proud moment for all of us and I would like to thank the entire BIOMIN team for their support and commitment in making this concept a great success,” he said and added that BIOMIN will continue to do such innovative programs, which sets them apart.

The Mycotoxin Academies were a cobranding initiative by BIOMIN, which was supported by its supply chain partners, Tara Group, Sri Amman Enterprises, Ayugen and SM Marketing for the events held in Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Pune and Kolkata respectively.

Sales Directors Shriraj Sirmokadam, Rajan Seralathan, Neeraj Singh and Regional Sales Manager Praveen Reddy took active part in planning and coordinating the events in their respective territories and ensured the success of the Mycotoxin Academies.

The poultry industry is continuously evolving, adding extra pressure to poultry producers. It is important to stay naturally ahead in order to respond to challenges.

Lately in the USA and Europe, there has been increasing demand from the market for eggs produced by layers kept in welfare-friendly environments. The layer industry quickly embraced this new challenge, switching from cage to cage-free systems. This has led to a new way of keeping birds by altering the management, health and nutrition strategies adopted on the farm. Another challenge has been the extreme weather conditions seen this summer in the northern hemisphere with temperatures of over 30°C in the United Kingdom and Scandinavian Peninsula. High environmental temperatures are among the most important causes of poor performance in the poultry industry. Birds, when exposed to extreme conditions, are not able to establish an optimal thermic balance, causing heat stress. A continual challenge is the reduction of antibiotics. In this issue of Science & Solutions, we discuss how to reduce the usage of antibiotics for prophylaxis and metaphylaxis or total replacement of antibiotic growth promoters. The first article shows the effect of a permeabilizing complex combined with a mix of organic acids for better management of Gram-negative pathogens. In this issue, we also highlight the benefits of using phytogenics, synbiotics and enhanced organic acids to maintain good health status and high production performance levels of birds, especially in challenging situations such as heat stress, and during periods of adaptation to new environments (i.e. moving to a cage-free system).

IN THIS ISSUE:

New Scientific Results on Natural Growth Promotion in Broilers vs. An Antibiotic Growth Promoter The reduced use of antibiotics for prophylaxis and metaphylaxis or total replacement of antibiotic growth promoters is one of the main topics in animal production. In a press release issued on 19 June 2018, the European Parliament informally agreed new rules on more responsible ways to produce, sell and use medicated animal feed to tackle the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Antonia Tacconi explains how Biotronic® Top3, an enhanced organic acid, positively influences broiler production in the absence of antibiotics.

Reducing the Impact of Heat Stress Using Synbiotics Heat stress negatively affects bird performance around the world. Synbiotics are an interesting tool for reducing this negative impact. Synbiotics modulate the immune response to the stress caused by high temperatures, consequently improving bird performance.

]]>MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryMagazinesnews-2110Tue, 11 Sep 2018 11:05:57 +0200Reducing the Impact of Heat Stress Using Synbioticshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/reducing-the-impact-of-heat-stress-using-synbiotics/
Heat stress negatively affects bird performance around the world. Synbiotics are an interesting tool for reducing this negative impact. Synbiotics modulate the immune response to the stress caused by high temperatures, consequently improving bird performance.ProbioticsPoultryArticlesnews-2109Mon, 10 Sep 2018 14:18:38 +02005 Tips to Increase Profits From Cage-Free Egg Productionhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/5-tips-to-increase-profits-from-cage-free-egg-production/
Egg producers can address the additional costs and new challenges of moving hens into cage-free environments by focusing on these five factors.ProbioticsPoultryArticlesnews-2108Mon, 10 Sep 2018 08:27:42 +0200New Scientific Results on Natural Growth Promotion in Broilers vs. An Antibiotic Growth Promoterhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/new-scientific-results-on-natural-growth-promotion-in-broilers-vs-an-antibiotic-growth-promoter/
The reduced use of antibiotics for prophylaxis and metaphylaxis or total replacement of antibiotic growth promoters is one of the main topics in animal production. In a press release issued on 19 June 2018, the European Parliament informally agreed new rules on more responsible ways to produce, sell and use medicated animal feed to tackle the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Antonia Tacconi explains how Biotronic® Top3, an enhanced organic acid, positively influences broiler production in the absence of antibiotics.AcidifiersPoultryArticlesnews-2103Tue, 04 Sep 2018 14:51:31 +0200BIOMIN Launches Spectrum Top 50® Advanced Mycotoxin Detection Servicehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-launches-spectrum-top-50r-advanced-mycotoxin-detection-service/
The new LC-MS/MS method for multi-mycotoxin analysis can determine over 50 different mycotoxins and metabolites in a single run, making it the most advanced mycotoxin detection commercially available. MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2101Tue, 04 Sep 2018 13:48:46 +0200BIOMIN at 14th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/biomin-at-14th-international-symposium-on-digestive-physiology-of-pigs/
BIOMIN is proud to support the advancement of digestive physiology at the definitive 14th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP) scientific forum as the Diamond Sponsor.

DPP, which takes place once every three years, will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in Brisbane, Australia, from 21-24 August 2018. It will be a gathering of over four hundred professionals and leading experts from the livestock industry.

The scientific framework of DPP 2018 is centered around studies of the pig’s digestive system, focusing on specific aspects such as the emerging areas of the Microbiota and the nutrient chemosensory mechanisms in the pig gastrointestinal tract. In particular, discussions will be targeted on the latest advances in the field of digestive physiology, which will illustrate the future research trends.

BIOMIN Asia-Pacific Managing Director Marc Guinnement said, “We’re proud to actively support the 14th International Symposium on Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DPP) scientific forum as the Diamond Sponsor. It’s a great platform for the leading professionals, scientists in the industry and academia to network, exchange knowledge and best practices. As research and development forms the cornerstone of BIOMIN, we are pleased to be able to display our commitment and expertise, especially in the area of gut performance management, at the DPP.”

]]>PigsNewsnews-2093Mon, 27 Aug 2018 15:25:00 +0200BIOMIN and ERBER Keep Emergency Skills Current with Fire & First Aid Traininghttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/biomin-and-erber-keep-emergency-skills-current-with-fire-first-aid-training/
On 26 July 2018, employees of ERBER Biotech (Thailand), which BIOMIN is a part of, underwent a Fire and First Aid Training. The training was conducted in compliance with the organization’s Occupational Health and Safety Standard, and the country’s labor and employment laws and regulations. The objectives of the training are to educate employees on the use of fire-fighting equipment and life-saving methods, unsafe practices or operations, and to highlight the importance of swift reporting of such practices.At ERBER Group, the safety of its employees, visitors, clients and the public is of utmost importance. The Group believes in providing employees with a safe and healthy workplace environment, which is also a contributing factor to the organization’s long-term success. This is the reason ERBER Group implemented its Occupational Health and Safety Standard, to ensure the well-being of all employees, and to prevent and reduce occupational accidents at all means.

]]>Newsnews-986Wed, 22 Aug 2018 17:15:00 +0200The Hidden Dangers of Lipopolysaccharideshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/the-hidden-dangers-of-lipopolysaccharides/
Lipopolysaccharides pose a serious and often overlooked risk to pigs. Several tips can help limit their negative impacts. Photo: iStock/frentusha

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) constitute up to 75% of the structure of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, being present at average 2x106 molecules of LPS/bacterial cell. LPS are a pre­­­requisite for bacterial viability; they serve as a potential barrier toward antimicrobials at the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Figure 1 illustrates the structure of a lipopolysaccharide containing a pyrogenic lipid part embedded in the bacterial wall, an inner and outer core oligosaccharide, and an O antigen polysaccharide chain. Also called endotoxins, lipopolysaccharides are released upon bacterial replication or death (lysis). They are present everywhere in the environment including in the ground, air, water and the GI tract. Pigs are continuously exposed to them throughout their lives. In healthy animals, the intestinal and other epitheliums such as skin or lungs, represent an effective barrier that prevents their passage into the bloodstream. Once there, however, endotoxins can elicit strong immune responses, weakening immune systems and impairing performance. Severely pronounced immune response can lead to septic shock. In swine, endotoxins are known to cause dose-dependent increases in body temperature of 1°C to 1.5°C, reduced levels of activity/movement, lower feed intake, and severe anorexia. More frequent vomiting, salivation and chewing have also been reported.

Figure 1. Diagram of a lipopolysaccharide.Source: BIOMIN

Effects on gut

The gut is the first line of defense against endotoxins and, if compromised via nutrition, stress or metabolic state, can result in increased endotoxin transport. Heat stress, for example, increases gut permeability. LPS can be absorbed through the intestinal epithelium to the general circulation through either the said paracellular or the transcellular pathway, being the first the most frequent. Transcellular transport happens trough receptor mediated endocytosis or diet fat micellar assisted permeation (Figure 2).

Negative effects

PS is transported in the blood by LPS binding protein (LPB), synthesized in liver and gut epithelial cells as acute phase reactant, at lower extent transported by albumins; once bound is able to activate the specific receptor TLR4 and initialize the kinase cascade and the NF-KB transcription factor complex, this way several hundreds of genes are transcribed to start inflammatory response.

Once in the bloodstream, endotoxins are transported to the liver through the portal vein where a major portion of the detoxification process occurs. If the amount of endotoxin entering the gastrointestinal tract overwhelms the detoxification capacity of the liver, endotoxemia ensues.

Endotoxins cause an inflammatory cascade that increase a pig’s maintenance requirements (due to fever) that, coupled with reduced feed intake, means less energy is available for growth. One research study found that LPS-challenged piglets had a 13% lower average daily gain (Table 1) compared to the control group.

Endotoxins also impair feed efficiency. A recent study of common challenges in pig farms reported a reduction in feed intake of 3% due to parasitic infections, 4.1% due to poor housing conditions, 10.2% due to digestive bacterial infections, 17.3% because of respiratory diseases, 25.2% due to mycotoxicoses (mycotoxin-induced diseases) and 26.8% due to lipopolysaccharides.

Environment and endotoxin exposure

While the main route for lipopolysaccharide exposure in swine is the gastrointestinal tract, the concentration of endotoxins in the air and dust should not be overlooked: endotoxins are a major component of biological dust. Air endotoxin levels are an important issue not only for the animals, but also for workers. A survey of pig production facilities has registered airborne lipopolysaccharide concentrations from 40.4 to 1.144 nanograms per cubic meter of air (Table 2). This reinforces the importance of good management regarding hygiene and dust levels on farms, and specific measures to protect workers such as wearing a fine dust mask.

Aggravation of endotoxin exposure

Major detoxification process for LPS is through a lipase present in macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, liver cells and renal cortical tubule cells. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase, or IAP, is a brush–border enzyme that detoxifies directly lipopolysaccharides. IAP is modulated by presence in the diet of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, with saturated increasing its presence. High caloric and high fat diets increase serum endotoxin concentrations and induce acute low-grade inflammation. Starvation, stress or disease can depress the expression and function of IAP—particularly in early weaning piglets—and result in high pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.

Mycotoxin magnifiers

Lipopolysaccharides are able to increase a pig’s sensitivity to deoxynivalenol, a major mycotoxin that can cause feed refusal, vomiting, diarrhea, splay legs and weakened immune function. A synergistic effect was recently found between deoxynivalenol and lipopolysaccharides in induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in porcine alveolar macrophages. Endotoxins reduced the minimum dose of deoxynivalenol needed to induce cytokine response, increased its toxic effects, increased organisms’ sensitivity to the toxin and magnified the effects of even low concentrations.

Treatment

Biosecurity and hygiene can greatly help decrease the lipopolysaccharide challenge in farm animals, together with the awareness that a certain amount of endotoxin is always present. Some healthy behaviors can greatly help to reduce the risk of endotoxin challenge on the farm. In addition, the use of a selected feed additive that offers endotoxin protection can help mitigate the risks of a lipopolysaccharide challenge. Mycofix® is a multi-strategy mycotoxin and endotoxin deactivating feed additive that uses adsorption as a mode of action to effectively bind and prevent endotoxins from entering the bloodstream, mitigating the risk to animals. Figure 3 shows that even at low doses, Mycofix® is able to efficiently adsorb or bind a considerable percentage of endotoxin in the gut lumen, greatly decreasing its passage into the bloodstream. Other research has demonstrated this mode of action to be effective even in the presence of adsorbable mycotoxins such as aflatoxins.

Figure 3. Mycofix® counteracts endotoxins at low doses.Source: BIOMIN

]]>MycotoxinsPigsArticlesnews-2091Thu, 16 Aug 2018 15:19:00 +0200Fifth Cleaning Festival at Wat Sakaeo Orphanage in Thailandhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/fifth-cleaning-festival-at-wat-sakaeo-orphanage-in-thailand/
On 5 August 2018, the BIOMIN Thailand team participated in the Fifth Cleaning Festival organized by Iceman Charity at Thailand’s largest orphanage, the Wat Sakaeo Orphanage. Dr. Erich Erber, Founder and President of ERBER AG, which BIOMIN is a part of, also joined in the biannual cleaning campaign. The Cleaning Festival gathers volunteers to help clean up the orphanage over a weekend, as part of a health and cleanliness program to ensure a clean and safe environment for the children. “The Cleaning Festival is a wonderful opportunity for us to roll up our sleeves, and is a way for us to give back to the society. The BIOMIN team is heartened to be able to be part of this initative. We look forward to contributing further to the community in the future, and to the children, who are the important pillars of our future generation," said Piyapa Erber, Managing Director of BIOMIN Thailand.

]]>Newsnews-2079Thu, 16 Aug 2018 08:17:00 +0200BIOMIN Announces Support for MycoSafe-South to Combat Mycotoxins in Sub-Saharan Africahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-announces-support-for-mycosafe-south-to-combat-mycotoxins-in-sub-saharan-africa/
16 August 2018 – BIOMIN, the global leader in mycotoxin deactivation, has recently announced its involvement in a 3-year, nearly US$1 million project to tackle mycotoxin-related food safety issues in sub-Saharan Africa.The MycoSafe-South project aims to identify safe-use options for aflatoxins- and fumonisins-contaminated food and feed, to reduce human exposure to fungi-produced mycotoxins from animal protein sources, and to promote education and awareness efforts to understand mycotoxin-associated health risks in humans and animals. The research outcomes focus on human and infrastructural capacity building, and awareness building through on-site training of community, nutritionists, veterinarians, small-scale subsistence farmers and commercial farmers.

Mycotoxins jeopardize food security and food safety

“Aflatoxins and fumonisins are harmful mycotoxins that often co-occur, and constitute a serious issue in Africa,” observed Dr Dian Schatzmayr, Development Team Leader Mycotoxins at BIOMIN.

Aflatoxins are potent carcinogens produced by strains of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Fumonisins are hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and immunosuppressive mycotoxins produced by Fusarium proliferatum and F. verticillioides. Both groups of mycotoxins are detrimental to humans and animals. Mycotoxin-contaminated crops fed to animals can carry over into dairy, egg and meat products.

Mycotoxin consumption in Africa has been linked to stunting among children, premature death and illness. Furthermore, mycotoxin contamination limits economic development in that the mycotoxin infestation of crops restrict Africa’s ability to trade agricultural products with the rest of the world.

Delivering science-backed solutions

In addition to providing some funding, BIOMIN will contribute knowledge and expertise to trials designed to demonstrate safe and efficient detoxification of mycotoxins in African dairy species, African laying hens and African broilers.

Approved by LEAP-Agri

The selection committee of EU LEAP-Agri approved the project, which is co-funded by the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO), Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (NFSR), Research Council of Norway (RCN), Kenyan Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), South Africa's National Research Foundation (NRF), BIOMIN and Harbro Ltd.

The LEAP-Agri international review panel acknowledged the research team is strong and very complementary. The project offers post-harvest solutions that are feasible to implement in African countries, and creates opportunities for young researchers by assigning 4 PhDs students to conduct research at both European and African institutes. The MycoSafe-South consortium also acknowledges the expertise of BIOMIN in communication and dissemination of project results to stakeholders through newsletters and their worldwide distribution network, already in place in some African countries.

Cape Town kick-off

BIOMIN will host the MycoSafe-South project kick-off on 2 October 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa, one day prior to the start of the 2018 World Nutrition Forum.

“We highly value the opportunity to engage with scientists and the global academic community through conferences and knowledge exchanges about animal nutrition,” commented Dr Schatzmayr, who added, “We look forward to welcoming the MycoSafe-South team to Cape Town.”

The aquaculture industry is enjoying a period of rapid growth and investment due to the high demand for aquatic protein. Production techniques have intensified and innovation in management techniques are constantly being implemented to maximize output; fish are even being farmed in the desert thanks to innovation!

Yet, the aquaculture industry must also stay adaptable to remain naturally ahead. Adopting new technologies alone will not guarantee success. Aquatic species are highly sensitive to a number of external factors that must all be managed throughout the production cycle.Traditionally, disease management in the aquaculture industry means the administration of antibiotics. However, regulatory guidelines and consumer demand for antibiotic free fish and shrimp products have changed the market. Thanks to the introduction of natural alternatives, feed additives such as organic acids, phytogenics and probiotics can be used in place of antibiotics to reduce disease challenge. We delve into results with organic acids and yeast in the first article on page 4 of this issue of Science & Solutions.The use of plant-based protein in aqua feeds is a costeffective alternative to fishmeal. Producers should be aware that plant-based protein sources are often contaminated by harmful mycotoxins. The aquaculture industry has relatively little knowledge or experience of dealing with these anti-nutritional factors compared with other terrestrial livestock producers. On page 9, Rui Gonçalves highlights five management tips that the aquaculture sector can employ thanks to experience gathered by the livestock sector.Finally, as in any industry, measuring and monitoring performance is vital. Constant measurement of performance indicators, such as those presented on page 15, will allow the early identification of problems so that the necessary adjustments can be made to ensure maximum profitability. Do you use any or all of these performance indicators in your business? Regardless of which formula you use, talk to your BIOMIN representative about making improvements to your performance.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Science & Solutions, keeping you naturally informed.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Organic Acids and Autolyzed Yeast Reduce the Impact of Pathogens in FishRising demand for aquatic protein is driving the intensification of aquaculture production, which is increasing the incidence of diseases. High stocking densities and high organic outputs provide optimum conditions for the spread of pathogens including a wide range of microorganisms, viruses, parasites and fungi. Organic acids and autolyzed yeast products can reduce the impact of pathogens, supporting performance and profitability.

Mycotoxin Management in Livestock Production: A Model for Aquaculture?Future growth and sustainability of the aquaculture industry depend on the sector’s ability to identify alternative sources of protein to substitute fishmeal in aquafeeds. Consequently, many new alternatives are available, e.g. insect meal, macroalgae meal or single-cell protein. However, high costs and limited availability are still challenges to overcome. Plant-based meals seem to be one of the most promising and viable solutions, but a common problem is the presence of mycotoxins.

There are numerous performance indicators used by aquaculture farms to measure the success of a production cycle.

Top 5 Aquaculture Performance Indicators

1. Feed conversion ratio (FCR)

Feed is the biggest cost on aquaculture farms, so making sure that fish and shrimp properly utilize feed is a very valuable metric for producers.

The lower the number, the more efficiently the feed is being converted into weight gain. Producers and nutritionists work together to decrease the FCR, therefore getting more output for the same amount of input.

FCR = feed given (g) / animal weight gain (g)

2. Survival rate

Numerous factors affect the survival rate of aquatic species—many of them in the external water environment, which harbors many pathogens. Disease management is a constant priority in aquaculture production, and is carried out with the help of the survival rate metric.

During periods of disease challenge, producers may monitor survival rate over specific periods of time within the production cycle to determine the effectiveness of any treatment given.

Survival rate % = number of surviving animals at the end of the production cycle / total number of animals at the beginning of the cycle * 100

3. Body weight gain (BWG)

Fish and shrimp are traded on weight, so the heavier the animals, the more the producer will be paid. Fish and shrimp diets are formulated using the best ingredients to encourage weight gain.

Producers will monitor body weight gain throughout the production cycle by weighing a sample of animals and extrapolating the calculation for the whole population.

4. Average daily gain (ADG)

Further to how much the animals grow, the rate at which the fish and shrimp grow is also crucial to know. Being able to predict when a crop will reach their final weight allows producers to forecast how many crops they can grow in a year, and helps with the purchase of inputs such as feed.

This metric can also be adjusted to calculate weight gain over different lengths of time as required by the production unit, e.g. the weekly growth rate (WGR).

Average daily gain (g) = body weight gain (g) / number of days

5. Yield / hectare

This performance indicator takes into account the stocking density and measures the output per unit of production space. It is typically measured in kg / ha but this varies depending on country and species.

Mycotoxin occurrence

The first big difference between livestock and aquaculture production is the level of knowledge about mycotoxin occurrence and co-occurrence in the plant feedstuffs used to make the diets. Only recently has interest in mycotoxin contamination in aquafeeds started to grow, so know-how about mycotoxin occurrence in aquafeeds is still being accumulated. In the past, small amounts of plant meals were included in the diets of carnivores and herbivores, which has increased the disregard for mycotoxin threats in aquafeeds. Due to the novelty of the topic, and contrary to the livestock industry, the contamination of aquaculture feedstuffs with mycotoxins is, in general, often neglected. There is a growing awareness of mycotoxin contamination in aquafeeds. However, we are still far from having solid knowledge of the mycotoxin contamination patterns in aquafeeds, and how the type of plant meal used influences it.

The wrong information may lead to employing the wrong strategies

One of the main misconceptions deeply entrenched across the aquaculture industry is that the majority of mycotoxin issues result from poor storage conditions leading to aflatoxin contamination. It is true that poor storage conditions can lead to the growth of Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp., which can ultimately lead to the production of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. However, BIOMIN has observed that most of the mycotoxins found in aquaculture finished feeds are from Fusarium spp., i.e., resulting from field contamination of the raw materials used to produce aquafeeds. In this case, this mainly concerns deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisins. In some cases, aflatoxins continue to represent a challenge, especially in tropical countries and/or when storage conditions are inadequate.

Tip #2: Correctly identify the mycotoxin(s) in your diet or raw material in order to implement the correct management plan.

How do I know if my fish/shrimp are being exposed to mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are structurally very diverse. This characteristic generates a wide range of symptoms in mycotoxin-affected animals, ranging from decreases in production efficiency to increases in mortality. In aquaculture, symptoms are generally unspecific, which makes accurate diagnosis difficult. The diagnosis of mycotoxicoses in farm animals is further complicated for two reasons. First, the synergistic effects of multiple mycotoxins in feeds create a different pattern of symptoms. Second, mycotoxins are responsible for suppressing the immune system, which allows opportunistic pathogens to colonize, prompting the display of secondary symptoms in the host. Sensitivity to mycotoxins varies greatly between species and is dependent on several factors that can modify the expression of toxicity including age, gender, nutritional and health status prior to exposure, and environmental conditions.

The situation is already very complex, but in addition to this we must consider the 138 different fish species and 38 shrimp species (FAO, 2011), with different feeding behaviors (herbivorous, omnivorous and carnivorous) and inhabiting different environments (freshwater, brackish water, marine). This high number of variables tends to dilute scientific output from all aquaculture research, not only in the field of mycotoxins. The low number of experts working with mycotoxins in their research compounds the problem, making it more difficult to have comprehensive diagnoses on the effects of mycotoxins in the main species.

Some reports describe clinical signs for the most common mycotoxins (Anater et al., 2016), however, most of them are generalist parameters and can be attributed to any diverse pathologies or challenges e.g. anti-nutrition factors or lectins in the diet, or environmental changes (bacteria, environmental toxins). Some of the parameters referred to above include reduction in growth performance, alteration of blood parameters (erythrocyte/leucocyte count), changes in blood enzyme levels (Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Transaminase (AST) or Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)), alterations to the liver or the suppression of immune parameters. Two notable exceptions are aflatoxicosis (yellowing of the body surface, (Deng et al., 2010)) and ingestion of fumonisin (alteration of the sphinganine to sphingosine ratio (sa/so)(Tuan et al., 2003)). Only aflatoxicosis can be visually identified so to correctly diagnose a change in the sa/so ratio, blood or haemolymph samples need to be collected and analyzed.Compared to livestock, there is a lack of any clear, clinical signs of mycotoxin ingestion in aquatic species (Figure 1i-v).

Figure 1. Photographs illustrating classic clinical signs of mycotoxin ingestion in livestock and aquaculture production. Photographs i-iv show easily identifiable mycotoxicoses in poultry and swine. Photographs v and vi show animals fed DON at considerably high doses with no macroscopic signs of disease except anorexia (which could be attributed to other causes in a field situation).

Tip #3: Keep a detailed and up-to-date record of your farm activities

The lack of any clear clinical signs of mycotoxicoses makes it very important to have a rigid mycotoxin management plan and a good record of farm activities. For example, an up-to-date record of environmental parameters (salinity, temperature, N-compounds, oxygen) and feed management (feed intake, identification of feed batches) could be fundamental to identifying the causes of a sudden decrease in feed intake or growth performance or an increase in mortality. While analyzing environmental and feed management parameters, you may also consider mycotoxin contamination depending on the success of your mycotoxin management plan.

Impact of mycotoxins: Are my contamination levels critical?

In aquaculture, it is common practice to study the impact of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) present in the plant meals, and try to overcome these limitations. However, mycotoxins are often overlooked as ANFs. It is not yet common practice in academia to evaluate the raw materials used to formulate test diets for the presence of mycotoxins. As a result, when comparing to livestock species, much less is known about the effects of mycotoxins in aquaculture species. The efforts of the aquaculture scientific community are even more diluted when taking into account the much higher number of aquaculture species compared to the number of livestock species. As reported previously, sensitivity to mycotoxins varies greatly between species and is dependent on several factors which can modify the expression of toxicity including age, gender, nutritional and health status prior to exposure and environmental conditions. However, for some species we can already provide some advice. The figures on pages 12 and 13 show some of the sensitivity levels (minimum and maximum) of DON (Figure 2), fumonisins (Figure 3), and aflatoxins (Figure 4).

Figure 2. Sensitivity levels to DON of some sensitive species. DON has been studied in several important aquaculture species including rainbow trout, which is the most sensitive species, and white leg shrimp.

Most published studies address the effects of single mycotoxin contamination. Thus, it is assumed that values reported in the literature are quite conservative when taking into account that most aquafeeds are contaminated with more than one mycotoxin (Gonçalves et al., 2016, 2017, 2018). The interaction between several mycotoxins might decrease the sensitivity levels reported.

The lack of any clear clinical signs of mycotoxicoses makes it very important to have a rigid mycotoxin management plan

There are still several gaps that need to be addressed in order to understand how to better manage mycotoxin risks in aquaculture. In recent years, the awareness of mycotoxin-related issues within the aquaculture industry has grown significantly. This is driven by increasing scientific evidence of the negative impacts of mycotoxins in aquatic species, and by frequent reports of the prevalence of mycotoxins in many raw materials.

Figure 3. Sensitivity levels to fumonisins of some sensitive species. Fumonisins have not been extensively studied in aquaculture species, however, the few studies available indicated that white leg shrimps and rainbow trout can be sensitive to fumonisins in feed.

Figure 4. Sensitivity levels to aflatoxins for some sensitive species. Aflatoxins have been extensively studied in farmed fish and crustacean species due to the toxicity of AFB1. Several species are extremely sensitive to aflatoxins. While aflatoxin contamination is more common in tropical countries, the global trade of raw materials and aquaculture feeds could potentially export the occurrence of mycotoxins to other regions.

Aquaculture: raised in a complex environment

One of the first challenges faced in aquaculture production is the environment where the fish lives, breathes, eats and defecates: the water. In aquaculture, fish and shrimp live in close connection with the surrounding environment. Through the ingestion of water, aquatic farmed animals are constantly exposed to pathogens and environmental stress. There are approximately one million bacteria per milliliter of water in coastal areas, and in aquaculture systems, especially in intensive systems, this number will be considerably higher. Most bacteria found in aquatic environments are opportunistic, therefore the slightest unbalance in the animal’s immune system will be used by these opportunistic bacteria to become pathogenic.

Due to this complex interaction between the environment and the animal, two main challenges emerge. First, the fact that the animals are in water makes the rapid perception of any macroscopic clinical signs (e.g. skin lesions, lethargy or other common visual control points) very difficult. This is particularly true for animals raised in highly turbid water (i.e. most of the aquaculture in Asia and South America). Second, as soon as an animal has a suppressed immune system or its immune defense is affected (e.g., a skin lesion), opportunistic bacteria rapidly infect. When the farmer realizes that something is wrong, there is a high probability that the animals are already contaminated with Vibrio spp. and, depending on the environment, many other bacteria. The question of whether the animals are sick due to the initial bacterial infection or whether they are the target of secondary opportunistic bacterial infections arises.

Tip #5: Maintain high levels of biosecurity, ensure good feed management, and frequently monitor the health status and behaviour of your animals.

The best way to investigate production problems is to examine biosecurity and feed management. Keep information on environmental parameters (e.g., salinity, temperature, N-compounds, oxygen, rain), and feed management (e.g., feed intake, identification of feed batches, feed ingredients, purchase date, date of first use, and storage temperature and humidity). Take regular samples to assess growth performance. Make sure the samples are properly stored and updated to reduce reaction times to potential problems.

Mycotoxin management in livestock production: a model for aquaculture?

Both production sectors have their own challenges. However, the aquaculture industry may learn from the mycotoxin management plans already in place for livestock. Furthermore, some plant meals used in livestock are also commonly used in aquaculture, so there are benefits in sharing information regarding occurrence and co-occurrence levels.

Regarding sensitivity levels, in aquaculture there is a great disparity of vulnerability between the already studied species. Research should continue to better understand which are the most sensitive species and to which mycotoxins. We also need to understand why some species (e.g. channel catfish) are extremely resistant to some mycotoxins (in this case DON), to help us improve the resistance of other sensitive species.

This article originally appeared in International AquafeedReferences available on request.

In Brief

New alternative sources of protein for aquaculture diets are now available, many of them derived from plants.

Plant-based protein sources are often contaminated with mycotoxins, a relatively unknown and often overlooked anti-nutritional factor in the aquaculture sector.

Symptoms of mycotoxicosis are less evident in fish and shrimp species compared to terrestrial livestock species.

Regular testing of feed for mycotoxins will help identify threats and enable the correct mitigation strategy to be employed to keep contamination below sensitivity limits.

Bacterial threats

Bacteria can survive very well in aquatic environments, especially when water temperatures rise or when farming systems are unbalanced. But these bacteria can cause significant economic losses. Bacteria from the Aeromonas, Edwardsiella, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Vibrio and Yersinia genera can all be pathogenic to aquatic animals.

There are many ways to control bacterial disease outbreaks in aquaculture and one of the most common control methods is to use antibiotics. However, a growing awareness of consumers opposing the use of antibiotics in aquaculture production means that some farmers are now banned from selling aquatic products to export markets. The extensive use of such antimicrobials is linked to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and the transfer of resistant genes between different bacterial species. The emergence of pathogenic-resistant bacteria has negative impacts, not only on aquaculture, but also on human health. It also negatively affects consumer perception. Therefore, the demand for more environmentally-friendly alternatives is higher than ever. Anti-microbial substances such as organic acids and plant extracts are now commonly used in the fish farming industry. Additionally, other solutions like yeast cell walls can prevent disease by enhancing the innate immune system of fish whereas vaccines only enhance adaptive (acquired) immunity.

Organic acids to control pathogens in fish

Organic acids, or combinations of acids, are an efficient tool for improving growth performance, gut morphology and pathogen control in aquaculture. Recently researchers have focused on the role of organic acids and their salts to prevent and control diseases with great success. They demonstrated, for example, that dietary supplementation with organic salts, such as propionate and butyrate, improved gut morphology under hypoxia and reduced enteritis symptoms (in high soya bean meal diets) in O. niloticus (Tran-Ngoc et al., 2016). Similarly, scientists have demonstrated the very strong anti-microbial effect of organic acids under challenge with Streptococcus agalactiae (Ng et al., 2009) and a high potential to exert beneficial effects on growth, nutrient utilization and disease resistance in tilapia.

While the effects of organic acids on pathogenic bacteria are not yet fully clear, it is commonly understood that they can exert either bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects depending on the physiological status of the organism and the physicochemical characteristics of the environment. Un-dissociated organic acids are lipophilic and can easily bypass the plasma membrane of bacteria. Once inside the cells, where pH levels are usually more neutral than in the outer environment, organic acids dissociate in their anions and protons. Traditionally, it has been assumed that the cytoplasmic pH drop caused by this mechanism is the main toxic efficacy of organic acids. Recently, other toxicity mechanisms have been proposed such as the capability of these acids to interfere with cytoplasmic membrane structure and functionality, as well as interference with nutrient transport, electron transport and macromolecular synthesis inside the cells.

Scientists cultured a number of pathogens in growth medium, with and without the enhanced organic acid Biotronic® Top3 from BIOMIN. The pathogens were chosen based on their ability to cause widespread disease and high economic losses in aquaculture, and included Aeromonas spp., Edwardsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp., Vibrio spp. and Yersinia sp. Researchers observed that Biotronic® Top3 effectively reduced the growth of all pathogens (Figure 1).

Biotronic® Top3 was most effective against Gram-negative pathogens, although inhibition of Streptococcus was also observed. This is not surprising, since the formulation contains a unique BIOMIN® Permeabilizing Complex, specifically designed to weaken the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.

Figure 1. Growth inhibition of aquatic pathogens by Biotronic® Top3

Choosing a science-backed solution

The organic acid market within aquaculture is vast, and choosing the correct solution can be confusing. It is important that products are assessed using both in vitro and in vivo models. A recent peer-reviewed publication demonstrated how Biotronic® Top3, an enhanced acidifier, can be used to reduce pathogens and improve disease resistance in aquaculture (Menanteau-Ledouble et al. 2017).

In one in vivo study, specific pathogen free (SPF) rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were split into two groups, and received either a commercial feed or the same feed supplemented with Biotronic® Top3. After 25 weeks, fish were artificially infected with Aeromonas salmonicida by intraperitoneal (IP) injection, immersion and cohabitation. For quality control purposes, fish in both treatments were also ‘mock’ infected to take into account background mortality. Once the infection had taken its course, the survival rate was calculated (Figure 2). In control tanks, mortalities were observed immediately indicating the virulence of the pathogen. In the Biotronic® Top3 treatments, much slower death rates were seen, indicating that the infection could be slowed down. This may benefit fish farmers as they can identify and treat diseases before incurring huge losses. After 35 days of challenge, Biotronic® Top3 supplemented fish showed a considerably higher survival rate (80%), compared to just 60% in control tanks, indicating the protective capabilities of Biotronic® Top3. Furthermore, the rainbow trout that received Biotronic® Top3 had a significantly higher survival rate (70%) than those not receiving the supplement (25%) when challenged via IP injection.

Figure 2. Survival curves of fish during pathogen challenge. Data represents the average mortality across three infection routes

Autolyzed yeast to enhance marine fish immunity (Lates calcarifer)

The immune system is a set of cellular and humoral components used to defend the body against foreign substances, such as microorganisms, toxins or malignant cells. They respond to factors such as endogenous or exogenous components that stimulate the immune system. The fish immune system is divided into innate and adaptive (memory), both further divided into cell mediated defense and humoral factors (soluble substances). Today, it is known that these systems work together in order to destroy invaders or to trigger defense processes. The innate system includes all components present in the body before the appearance of the pathologic agent and acts as the first line of defense with a faster reaction than the specific system. Among these components are the skin as a physical barrier, the complement system, the antimicrobial enzymes, the interleukins, the interferons and the organic defense cells, such as granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages and natural killer cells (Bayne and Gerwick, 2001; Ellis, 1999; Magnadottir et al., 2011).

Autolyzed yeast (containing the cell walls and available nutrients) is well known in the aquaculture industry to support immune defense mechanisms. Autolyzed yeast consists of concentrations of yeast cells that are allowed to die and break up, so that the endogenous enzymes of the yeast break their proteins down into simpler compounds which are then available for animals (e.g. amino acids, peptides, nucleotides). Autolyzed yeast cell walls contain mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), β1,3 and β1,6 glucan, chitin and nucleotides. β-glucans are glucose-based polysaccharides that have an immune-stimulant effect in aqua species. They activate several immune cells including macrophages, neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells and dendritic cells. MOS have three main modes of action: improvement of gastrointestinal health, modulation of the immune system and pathogen absorption.

Figure 3. Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of several immune-stimulants in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer; Figure 3). A total of four treatments were tested: a control (commercial feed), the commercial feed supplemented with Levabon® Aquagrow (autolyzed yeast), the commercial feed supplemented with β-glucan, and the commercial feed supplemented with nucleotides. After eight weeks, fish were artificially infected with Streptococcus iniae by IP injection at 107 CFU/ml. The results showed that in control tanks, the survival rate was only 37% 11 days post-challenge. The treatment containing the autolyzed yeast Levabon® Aquagrow gave the highest survival rate at 57%. Single immune-stimulants (β-glucan and nucleotides) showed an intermediate survival rate of 43% (Figure 4).

Fish fed Levabon® Aquagrow had higher circulating white blood cells (Figure 5). Considering the important protective role leukocytes play, it is not surprising that fish with higher numbers of these immune cells can fight pathogens more effectively, improving survival.

Conclusion

Disease outbreaks are a persistent threat to the profitability of aquaculture farms. Dietary supplementation with the organic acid blend Biotronic® Top3 can improve survival in trout during a challenge with Aeromonas salmonicida but also inhibits the growth of a wider range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria pathogens. Acidifiers can improve gut health, increase nutrient utilization by reducing the pathogen load, and increase disease resistance without compromising growth performance.

Additionally, several immune-stimulant substances have demonstrated a positive improvement on the survival rate of Asian seabass after a bacterial disease challenge with Streptococcus iniae. In this study, the autolyzed yeast Levabon® Aquagrow containing the full blend of immuno-stimulants had better efficacy than the single β-glucan or nucleotide application. For aquaculture producers who want to avoid the sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics, Biotronic® Top3 and the autolyzed yeast Levabon® Aquagrow offer an interesting alternative to traditional pathogen control medication, opening the door to higher profitability.

In Brief

Antibiotic use in aqua production is falling due to customer demand, but the threat of economic loss from disease is ever present.

Organic acids have antimicrobial properties, which control and prevent disease.

Autolyzed yeast supports the immune defense systems.

As shown in trials, Biotronic® Top3 and Levabon® Aquagrow are interesting alternatives to traditional pathogen control medication.

]]>AcidifiersAquacultureArticlesnews-2068Wed, 01 Aug 2018 08:45:00 +0200Regional Results of Global Mycotoxin Occurrence through June 2018http://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/regional-results-of-global-mycotoxin-occurrence-through-june-2018/
According to the results of the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey, from March to June 2018, we can notice an increase of mycotoxins such as fumonisins, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in feedstuffs.

Since 2004, the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Program constitutes the longest running, and most comprehensive survey of its kind. It details the incidence of the main mycotoxins occurring in agricultural commodities, which include aflatoxins (Afla), zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2), fumonisins (FUM) and ochratoxin A (OTA).

The survey focuses on components that are used for feed such as corn, wheat, barley, rice, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, dried distillers grains (DDGS) and silage, among others.

From January to June 2018, the BIOMIN scientists have tested 8,527 samples, from different regions around the world.

Top threats worldwide

The main mycotoxins detected are deoxynivalenol, fumonisins and zearalenone, detected in 70%, 18% and 68% of all samples respectively. The average levels were 774 ppb for DON, 1,748 ppb for FUM and 135 ppb for ZEN. Other mycotoxins such as Afla, T-2 and OTA, were detected in 21%, 18% and 17% of samples analyzed respectively. (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Occurrence of mycotoxins worldwide through Q2 2018. Average of all samples collected by BIOMIN.

Co-contamination

The results show that 91% of all samples contained at least one mycotoxin. Of these, 72% contained at least three mycotoxins (figure 2). The phenomena of co-contamination inevitably leads to synergism, a condition where the severity of one mycotoxin is increased by the presence of others.

Figure 2. Co-occurrence of mycotoxins worldwide, collected by BIOMIN, in all samples.

Europe

With five mycotoxins above the risk threshold, Europe faces a severe contamination risk. The most prevalent mycotoxin in this region was DON, detected in 69% of the samples, followed by ZEN, detected in 65% of the samples. FUM was detected in 63% of samples analyzed. The highest contamination found in a single sample was 40,700 ppb for DON, 3,889 ppb for ZEN and 26,204 ppb for FUM.

Asia

In Asia the average concentration of four mycotoxins is above the risk threshold, hence this region is facing a high contamination risk. Nonetheless, we can see a significant decrease of T-2 toxin contamination, compared to the last months. Moreover, the incidence of Afla was rather low with 33% of samples analyzed contaminated with this mycotoxin, although the average concentration of 40 ppb should be of concern for dairy producers. The most prevalent mycotoxin remains FUM, detected in 83% of samples, followed by DON, detected in 80% of samples analyzed. The concentration of ZEN should not be neglected, as it was detected in 64% of the samples. The maximum FUM concentration recorded was 60,275 ppb.

North America

With six mycotoxins above risk threshold, North America faces a severe contamination risk. The most prevalent mycotoxins detected are DON and FUM, found in 66% and 43% of the feed samples analyzed, respectively. ZEN was detected in 26%, in the samples. Other mycotoxins such as Afla, OTA and T-2, were detected in less than 20% of the samples. The highest concentration of FUM in a single sample was 50,734 ppb. ZEN and DON showed very high maximum concentrations as well: 10,790 and 10,728 respectively.

Central America

Central America faces a high contamination risk having four mycotoxins average concentrations above the risk threshold. FUM is the highest prevalent mycotoxin and was found in 79% of samples, followed by DON, identified in 57% of samples respectively. Afla, ZEN, T-2 and OTA were detected in 18%, 17%, 0 and 3% of samples respectively. The highest maximum concentrations of FUM and DON were 4,427 and 1,618 ppb respectively.

South America

This region faces a severe contamination risk having five mycotoxins average concentrations above the risk threshold. FUM and DON are the highest prevalent mycotoxins and were found in 69% and 68% of samples respectively, followed by ZEN, identified in 56% of samples analyzed. Afla, T-2 and OTA were detected in 21%, 25% and 5% of samples respectively. South America shows the highest maximum concentration of FUM and DON worldwide (70,418 and 24,880 ppb respectively).

Middle East

With four mycotoxins average concentrations above the risk threshold, the Middle East faces a high contamination risk. The most prevalent mycotoxins in this region were FUM, followed by ZEN and DON, detected in 86%, 57% and 49% of samples respectively. The highest maximum concentration detected in Middle East was 4,805 ppb FUM.

Africa

With four mycotoxins above the risk threshold Africa faces a high mycotoxin contamination risk. FUM and DON were both detected in 75% of samples analyzed; whereas ZEN was the third most prevalent mycotoxin, and was detected in 71% of samples analyzed. The highest FUM concentration in a single sample was 14,427 ppb. Afla was detected in 12% of samples analyzed, whereas T-2 and OTA in 3% and 13% of samples respectively.

Conclusion

These BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey findings show that recent mycotoxin occurrence is quite high. The mycotoxin problem can be addressed through valid farm management strategies and the use of a registered mycotoxin deactivator whose efficiency is scientifically proven.

]]>MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsBlog Postsnews-2062Mon, 30 Jul 2018 10:30:00 +0200BIOMIN Submits EU Dossier for Digestarom® DC as Zootechnical Feed Additive in Broilershttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-submits-eu-dossier-for-digestaromr-dc-as-zootechnical-feed-additive-in-broilers/
The innovative feed additive firm marks another milestone in the global rollout of the new phytogenic feed additive by applying for additional zootechnical status in the EU.Following a successful start to a global launch, BIOMIN submitted a dossier for the EU authorization of Digestarom® DC, a phytogenic feed additive (PFA), for zootechnical status based on its ability to improve the performance parameters of broilers.

Market leadership

The submission of Digestarom® DC for zootechnical authorization for broilers marks the latest milestone in ongoing activities around phytogenics at BIOMIN. The firm submitted an EU dossier for zootechnical authorization in piglets in 2017, which is still under review.

Next steps

The dossier for zootechnical registration has been submitted for scientific review by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). “We are optimistic that the diligent work put into developing the next-generation Digestarom® and compiling the dossier complies fully with the necessary requirements,” Mr Noonan stated.

]]>PhytogenicsPoultryPress Releasesnews-2064Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:17:00 +0200BIOMIN conducts first ever edition of Mycotoxin Academy in Indiahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-conducts-first-ever-edition-of-mycotoxin-academy-in-india/
BIOMIN in association with MG Marketing, its supply chain partner for north India, organized the first ever edition of BIOMIN Mycotoxin Academy in India in two key locations in north India.

With over 300 customers and poultry players participating at both the editions of BIOMIN Mycotoxin Academy, the event marked a new beginning in creating awareness about the mycotoxin risk management in India and how BIOMIN continues to lead from the forefront in offering solutions to the problem.

On July 9, the first BIOMIN Mycotoxin Academy in India was held at Noormahal in Karnal, followed by another Academy at Park Plaza – Zirakpur in Chandigarh on July 11, with over 300 enthusiastic participants in both the events.

Both the events were led by Eileen Han, Regional Product Manager – Mycotoxin Risk Management, BIOMIN Asia-Pacific. Beginning with the clear introductory session on what are mycotoxins, Eileen Han in her lucid presentation proceeded to explain about the risks and impacts of mycotoxins in poultry.

“Any mycotoxins present in feed are delivered straight to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of the birds, the organ most affected by mycotoxins. The GIT is the most important organ for converting feed into energy, and its ability to function properly is directly linked to poultry productivity,“ she explained and added that the GIT is the biggest immune organ in the body system.

Among the major mycotoxins, DON (deoxynivalenol), ZEN (zearalenone) and FUM (fumonisins) are often overlooked when considering their impact on poultry health and productivity since their clinical symptoms are not usually obvious or visible. However, there have been a number of scientific and commercial trials that prove these Fusarium mycotoxins are closely related to some important poultry diseases.

Sharing key details from the latest BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Report, Eileen Han informed that BIOMIN is conducting the Mycotoxin Survey Program annually since 2004. “The accumulated number of samples is already over 75,000, which makes the program the largest worldwide data pool for mycotoxin analyses. In 2017, the analysed number of samples hit a record high,“ she pointed out.

“Taking a closer look at the results from South Asia or India, Aflatoxin (Afla) is still the biggest threat if we also consider the percentage contamination above the risk threshold. The prevalence of FUM and Ochratoxin A (OTA) in South Asia was the highest of all the Asian sub regions. However, Afla has been always the centre of attention that it is relatively well counteracted,“ she added.

According to her, the more problematic mycotoxins are rather FUM and DON. Unfortunately, in India the awareness of these Fusarium mycotoxins is low. DON is a known protein synthesis inhibitor and can interfere with the metabolism of high turn-over cells such as skin cells (epithelial cells), hepatic cells, immune cells and intestinal epithelial cells.

Some of the most frequent sub-clinical symptoms of DON contamination in feed are the reduction in feed intake, wet-droppings and a reduction in vaccine efficacy. On the other hand, FUM blocks the synthesis of complex sphingolipids that play a pivotal role in protecting nerves, muscles and membranes.

“When it comes to counteracting mycotoxins, the poultry industry tends to think of “toxin-binders” first. However, clay mineral binders are not an effective answer to all major mycotoxins. Especially not against Fusarium mycotoxins since their structures are not suitable for adsorbing by binders,“ she underlined.

She recommended that biotransformation using microbes and enzymes is the most effective strategy as it provides reliable protection for birds against Fusarium mycotoxins by biodegrading mycotoxins into non-toxic metabolites. In addition to biotransformation, a bioprotection strategy is also important. A combination of different strategies can counteract the negative effects of mycotoxins in poultry more completely, especially in cases of multi-mycotoxin contamination with the poorly absorbed Fusarium mycotoxins in poultry feed.

The Mycofix® product line from BIOMIN, which is in the forefront of mycotoxin risk management, is an unique combination of patented specific enzymes and biological components that deactivates mycotoxins in contaminated feed into non-toxic, environmentally-safe metabolites.

The key to the effectiveness of Mycofix® product line is its three-pronged strategy of mycotoxin control, namely: biotransformation, adsorption and bioprotection.

Gangga Widyanugraha, Regional Technical Sales Manager – Poultry in his presentation highlighted the prevalence of mycotoxin in poultry in India. Äccording to him, postmortem analyses of birds done by him across India corroborates the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Report.

Edward Manchester, Regional Director, BIOMIN Asia Pacific in his welcome address earlier informed the participants that research and development is the cornerstone of BIOMIN. “Collaborations with global institutions and organisations strengthen the BIOMIN research core. Synergies from these research collaborations inspire us to push the boundaries of animal nutrition and continue developing customer-oriented solutions that are a step ahead of the competition,” he said.

According to him, the superior quality of the products and services of BIOMIN is evident from the number of patents and EU authorizations received by the company.

Sujit Kulkarni, Managing Director, BIOMIN India in his address said that the initiative to create awareness among the customers and poultry players on the mycotoxin risk management through such BIOMIN Mycotoxin Academies has received overwhelming response.

“We will continue to strive towards maintaining the lead in providing scientific solutions to the mycotoxin contamination and also to create awareness among the stakeholders throughout the country by conducting more editions of BIOMIN Mycotoxin Academies,“ he added.

It may be noted that the first edition of Mycotoxin Academy in India, apart from creating awareness about mycotoxin contamination and offering solutions was a cobranding event conducted by both BIOMIN and MG Marketing.

]]>MycotoxinsPoultryPress ReleasesPicturesnews-2063Thu, 26 Jul 2018 13:59:00 +0200Mycotoxins, endotoxins and their controlhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxins-endotoxins-and-their-control/
Mycotoxins and endotoxins impair animal health and immune status as well as feed production in various ways: these toxins are invisible, odorless and cannot be detected by smell or taste, but can reduce significantly performance in pig production. Due to the complex nature of these naturally occurring contaminants and to their elaborate analytics a risk-management concept has to be adopted in order to reduce the risk encounter to a defined and acceptable level (Binder, 2007).Photo: iStockphoto_Dr_Microbe

Mycotoxins are toxic fungal metabolites that cause intoxication when consumed by animals. Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium are the most incident moulds that produce these toxins and contaminate animal feeds through fungal growth prior to and during harvest, or during improper storage (Bhatnagar et al., 2004).

Aflatoxins are produced by many strains of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus on many different commodities, including cereals, figs, oilseeds, and others (Diener et al., 1987). Moreover, aflatoxin B1 is considered the main hepatocarcinogen in animals, although effects vary with species, age, sex, and general nutritional conditions.

Trichothecenes constitute a large group of mycotoxins produced by various species of moulds, in particular those belonging to the genus Fusarium. The most prevalent mycotoxins of these groups are deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) and T-2 toxin. An important issue is that some of these closely related compounds occur simultaneously (Fuchs et al., 2004) and are proven to cause synergistic effects (Weidenbörner, 2001). Different types of trichothecenes vary in their toxicity though all of them have high acute toxicity. They may cause haematological changes and immune suppression, reduced feed intake and skin irritations as well as diarrhea and hemorrhages of internal tissues. Pigs seem to be the most sensitive farm animals to this group of mycotoxins. Effects occurring at the lowest levels of trichothecenes were reduced feed intake and weight gain, as well as impairment of the immune system.

Zearalenone (ZEA) is also produced by Fusarium species and has strong hyper-estrogenic effects, which result in impaired fertility, stillbirths in sows and a reduced sperm quality in boars. ZEA is mostly affecting breeding animals which have a very sensitive reproductive system.

Ochratoxin A (OTA), which is produced by a number of Aspergillus and Penicillium species causes renal toxicity, nephropathy and immune-suppression in pigs, resulting in reduced performance parameters in animal production.

Ergot alkaloids are present in the sclerotia of Claviceps species, which are common pathogens of various grass species and grains of cereals, such as wheat, rye, oats, barley and triticale. Pigs belong to the principal animals at risk. Clinical symptoms of ergotism in animals include tail and ear necrosis eventually leading to gangrene, abortion, convulsions, suppression of lactation in sows, hypersensitivity and ataxia (Bennet and Klich, 2003). As mentioned before, in pigs a high level of toxin intake results in vasoconstriction and subsequently dry gangrene of hooves, ears and tails (Bryant, 2008).

Endotoxins are incredibly fascinating substances. On the one hand they stimulate the immune system in a positive way; on the other hand they cause endotoxic shock and death.

Classically, an endotoxin is a toxin that, unlike an exotoxin, is not secreted in soluble form by live bacteria, but instead is a structural component in the bacteria which is released mainly when bacteria are lysed. Endotoxins are commonly referred to in literature as lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The toxic and non variable part is the Lipid A (identical in all cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria). Endotoxins, unlike exotoxins, react with different blood proteins, cytokines (involved in the immune response), amongst others, thus inducing immune reactions.

The endotoxin is also called lipopolisaccharide (LPS) as it consists of a polysaccharide part (sugar, Core Polysaccharide and O Antigen ) and a lipid moiety, known as lipid A and responsible for the toxic effect. The polysaccharide chain is highly variable among different bacteria. Absorption effects, removal and detoxification of endotoxins are complex phenomena that depend on many factors and on the variable susceptibility amongst animals. LPS kinetics inside the body implies a number of interactions; they can bind to high density lipoproteins, albumins, immunoglobulins, complement C3, and to a number of unknown proteins that altogether increase their half life in serum, preventing the uptake of LPS by the liver and the spleen as well as their engulfing by macrophages.

The greatest prognostic factor, however, is the development of shock (Ispahani et al., 1987). Septic shock is a syndrome characterised by hypotension, oliguria, hypoxia, acidosis, the development of microvascular abnormalities, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (Hamill and Maki, 1986). Multiple organ failure is an all-too common sequel. Studies at necropsy reveal widespread tissue damage with particular involvement of the liver, lungs, kidneys and adrenal glands. Tissue lesions include edema, haemorrhage, inflammatory infiltrates, fibrin thrombi and areas of tissue necrosis. Identical physiological and pathological changes may be seen in experimental animals receiving lethal doses of endotoxin (Bayston and Cohen, 1990).

The attachment of large numbers of pathogenic E. coli to the mucosa of the small intestine has been observed in porcine colibacillosis. During bacterial growth in culture, LPS is continuously shed. A massive multiplication and invasion of the gut by E. coli, as easily happens during post weaning phase of the piglets, can lead to a moderate and sometimes severe toxic status after the release of endotoxin during mitosis. Post-weaning diarrhea is an expression of synergic effects of bacteria and their exotoxins with endotoxins. Early weaning enhances susceptibility to LPS. Adhesion factors play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of edema disease (Imberechts et al., 1992), which is more an expression of already abundant production of endotoxins during E. coli turnover. Characteristics of this syndrome are sudden death or nervous symptoms, such as blunting, staggering, ataxia, opisthotonus, subcutaneous edema particularly in nose, ears, eyelids and larynx (hoarse, squeaky voice).

Considerable mortality is associated with Gram-negative infections, especially when they are complicated by shock (Prins et al., 1994). The shock can also be a consequence of antibiotic administration as total endotoxin level has been reported to decrease after antibiotic treatment; whereas free endotoxin increased (free endotoxins are biologically more active than membrane-bound endotoxins). Endotoxin release is paralleled by deterioration of the parameters involved in disease severity assessment.

Several drugs have been investigated to counteract LPS. Antibiotics differ in potential for endotoxin liberation according to their bacteriostatic or bactericidal effect. Antibiotics can also bind endotoxins, Polymyxin B or Colistin being the example, but were shown to be toxic themselves. The most remarkable adverse effects of these drugs are nephrotoxicity (chiefly acute renal failure) and neurotoxicity (Mendes and Burdmann, 2010). That is why a feed additive was tested for its positive effect on health and performance status of piglets exposed to endotoxins.

Effects of Mycofix® Plus against endotoxins associated with Gram-negative bacterial diseases in pigs

Group A (control): standard piglet diet with an average natural load of endotoxins of 9.05 μg/g (average from 19 feed samples)

Group B (positive control): standard piglet diet with an average natural load of endotoxins of 9.05 μg/g (average from 19 feed samples) plus 100 mg Colistin/liter administered via drinking water for 21 days

Group C (treated): standard piglet diet with an average natural load of endotoxins of 9.05 μg/g (average from 19 feed samples) supplemented with 0.2 % of the feed additive formulation over the whole trial period.

Figure 1. Comparison of FCR (day 56) within the experimental groups.

Figure 2. Comparison of body weight on day 56 (end of trial) within the experimental groups.

Results

Weight of pigs at day 56 and DWG (day 1-56) were significantly increased by the supplementation of Mycofix® Plus (Figure 2 and 3).

Mycofix® Plus reduced the incidence of diarrhea when in comparison with the control group and with the group supplied with the antibiotic Colistin.

Conclusion

The present study shows that Mycofix® Plus, composed of synergistically acting ingredients, ensures performance in the presence of an endotoxin challenge, resulting in improved final weight, DWG and FCR as well as in reduced diarrhea incidence. Results indicate that Mycofix® Plus supported the animals in the critical phase of weaning. The positive effects of the feed additive result from the binding of the toxins by clay minerals, from the action of yeast components which bind bacteria and also exert an anti-inflammatory activity which acts synergistically with the anti-inflammatory effects enabled by algae and plant extracts also present in the product.

]]>MycotoxinsPigsArticlesnews-2061Wed, 25 Jul 2018 09:27:00 +0200Solving Mycotoxin-Related Sow Fertility Problemshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/solving-mycotoxin-related-sow-fertility-problems/
Various mycotoxins can negatively affect a sow’s reproductive performance. Deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in particular tend to occur simultaneously and are known to have an outsized impact on pig fertility. Recent research shows how to protect your pigs’ reproductive health from the effects of mycotoxins. Photo: iStockphoto_mady70

Sow fertility has a paramount effect on farm profitability. The number of pigs produced per sow per year defines the production cost per pig and other key metrics. The key to success is to sustain reproductive indices such as litter size, farrows per year and productive days at a high level.

Several parameters, such as management, genetics, nutrition, health status, and anti-nutritional factors, all affect herd fertility. Among the latter, mycotoxins are a major anti-nutritional factor known to affect reproduction—and pigs are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of mycotoxin exposure. (Watch ‘What is a Mycotoxin’).

Mycotoxins impair herd fertility

Zearalenone, T-2 toxin and ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins that are known to have a number of direct negative effects on pigs that contribute to herd infertility, as shown in Figure 1.

Zearalenone mimics estrogen, disrupts hormones

Among mycotoxins, the most notorious for its effects on reproduction is zearalenone (ZEN). ZEN blocks normal synthesis of hormones. It resembles the estradiol molecule and competes with the latter for estradiol (estrogenic) receptors. This estrogenic effect causes disturbances of the endocrine system, hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and suppresses the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion in ovaries.

The effects of DON and its relationship to reproduction in pigs has a more indirect effect. Feed intake reduction results in low nutrient availability and poses a threat on some metabolic pathways of the reproductive system.

In addition, any potential dysfunction of vital organs with a key role in metabolism such as liver and spleen would have an adverse effect on health. When health is compromised, animals’ metabolic priorities change. The immune response becomes the priority and consequently nutrients are allocated there, instead of the reproductive system (Kanora and Maes, 2009).

Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone are both Fusarium toxins produced by mainly by F. graminearum, F. culmorum, and F. roseum (Tiemann and Dänicke, 2007). Due to the fact that they are produced by the same species of fungi, they can and often do contaminate the same crop at the same time (co-occurrence). For the latest information on mycotoxin global occurrence, check out the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey.

This co-occurrence is dangerous because the interaction between mycotoxins can have synergistic (amplified) effects: negative consequences that are greater than expected from single mycotoxins alone, and are of great concern in livestock health and productivity. Research has documented the negative combined effects of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone on fertility, as shown in Figure 2.

In vitro studies on porcine oocytes have shown that presence of ZEN, DON or combination of them compromise the development of oocytes and they lose the ability to mature (Figure 3). This may compromise embryo survivability, pregnancy continuation and further birth weight. In addition, DON has the most potent effects on embryo development after fertilization, resulting in abnormal and reduced numbers of blastocysts.

DON and ZEN trial design

A recent trial contacted by BIOMIN and the University of Berlin evaluated the reproductive parameters of sows in the presence of DON and ZEN over a long-term period (three cycles). Sows were allocated in three different groups:

One group with no contaminated feed

A toxin group that received contaminated feed with DON at high levels and ZEN at medium levels

A trial group that received similarly contaminated feed as the toxin group and Mycofix® Plus

Trial results

The presence of mycotoxins impaired several reproductive and performance parameters, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 4. Effects of ZEN and DON in reproductive indices. Yellow area represents the control group, presented as 100% of performance.

Sow results

The most common index used to assess reproductive performance is weaned piglets per sow per year.

Farrowing rate and wean to estrus interval both affect the former index. The presence of mycotoxins, especially ZEN, increased the returns to heat and decreased farrowing rate.

Feed intake affected sows’ body condition at weaning and milk yield. Consequently, underweight sows needed more days to come in estrus after weaning.

This decreased the number of farrows, and depleted weaned piglets produced per sow per year. In addition, milk yield could compromise litter growth and weaning weights, resulting in lower weights to slaughter or/and more days in feed.

Piglet results

On the piglet side, the presence of mycotoxins compromised piglet quality. The percentage of underweighted piglets (< 1.2 kg) increased, implying a negative effect of mycotoxins on embryo development and maternal nutrition.

We could assess that the negative effect on piglet quality accompanied with a depletion of milk yield that resulted in higher pre-weaning mortality and lower weaning weights.

However, a sound recovery was observed with the application of Mycofix®.

Figure 5. Effects of ZEN and DON on reproductive indices. Yellow area represents the control group, presented as 100% of performance.

Conclusion

Mycotoxin co-contamination of raw materials is more common than single mycotoxin contamination. Mycotoxins act in a concerted manner against the animal, affecting multiple tissues, organs and functions. In the case of sow fertility, DON and ZEN can be particularly harmful. Mycofix® offers a safe and effective way to overcome multiple mycotoxin contamination and protect sow reproductive performance.

]]>MycotoxinsPigsBlog Postsnews-2060Tue, 24 Jul 2018 09:06:00 +0200How Poultry Housing Can Reduce Stress and Optimize Performancehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/how-poultry-housing-can-reduce-stress-and-optimize-performance/
In this guest blog, James Donald of the National Poultry Technology Center at Auburn University shares his thoughts on the role and importance of the poultry house and environmental control. Photo: iStockphoto_DuxY

As an agricultural engineer who has specialized in poultry housing and environmental control for most of my career, one of the primary principles one learns is that the performance of birds has a tremendous amount to do with the physical environment surrounding the bird.

The value of stress minimization during all phases of production from the hatchery to the final shipping date is an important concept in antibiotic-free (ABF) and ‘no antibiotics ever’ (NAE) production. Stress allows many types of challenges to thrive in birds, weakening their immune systems, causing sickness and the need for treatment.

Proper air quality and air temperature have been two factors at the basics of good production and good environmental control. However, the concept of minimizing stress needs to be expanded beyond just proper temperature and air quality.

Tunnel housing has overturned old rules

Poultry scientists, veterinarians, primary breeders and others have long published and used ideal temperature curves for rearing their birds. And, until the mid-1980s when tunnel ventilated poultry houses began to become very popular in the United States, the idea of maintaining perfect target temperatures was one of the utmost guiding principles in rearing birds.

To a lesser degree, humidity was considered an important factor, but being at the correct temperature seemed to be the first axiom of good environmental control with rearing temperature adjustments made for relative humidities that were above or below the ideal humidities of between 50 to 70%. In pre-tunnel ventilated poultry house rearing, an old rule of thumb often used was that if temperature (in degrees F) + relative humidity exceeded 160, birds were in heat stress. This old rule does not fit tunnel housing applications in use today.

Understanding Thermal Neutrality

If one examines the methods of heat transfer to or from a bird, we know that convection, conduction, radiation and respiration are the four primary methods. In instances of good environmental control, conductive heat transfer is often negligible. Birds must maintain thermal equilibrium if they are going to grow and gain or reproduce efficiently:

Convection

Conduction

Radiation

Respiration

Thermal equilibrium does not mean being at the correct target ambient air temperature. While ambient air temperature is a big factor, thermal equilibrium means that the amount of heat generated by the bird (primarily from the digestion of feed ) is released or dissipated in a manner to not cause the bird to experience stress or burn calories in doing so.

An ideal state of thermal equilibrium would mean that the bird’s heat generation and its dissipation were in balance, with the least amount of calories being burned for body maintenance functions. A panting bird can be dissipating the heat that is generated from within the body, but it won't be doing it efficiently and some of the ingested feed calories will be “wasted” by spending that energy on the panting process. For cold birds to maintain equilibrium, calories are often burned to maintain warmth, thus robbing the bird from maximizing the number of calories available for growing and gaining or reproduction. In both cases, the bird is likely to be in a stressed condition.

Example of accelerated convective heat removal

In many of our classes or lectures, we often use the example of what is a perfect temperature for a 5 lb (2.27Kg) bird. Some might say about 70F (21.1C). In still air in a humidity range of 50-70%, this bird could likely be at perfect thermal equilibrium with minimum calories utilized for body maintenance functions.

However, the same 5 lb bird at 86F (30 C) in a 400 fpm (2 m/s) breeze might also be at thermal equilibrium with very low calories for body maintenance functions, eating, growing, and gaining just the same as the 5 lb bird at 70 F in still air. Body maintenance calories are similar to the comfortable bird in still air. This is an extreme example, but this accelerated convective heat removal is the one tool that is at the bedrock of tunnel ventilation and environmental control. It is a concept that is hard to grasp and hard to teach.

A multitude of combinations

There are hundreds or even thousands of combinations of temperature, air velocity and relative humidity that might prove out to be very efficient for growing and gaining with minimum body maintenance, and thus minimum stress.

Figure 1. Optimum Performance Temperature Zone

There is no exact formula, but an abundance of guidelines, and the final indicator is bird behavior through observation, and then the poultry house management to optimize this principle of optimum comfort zone, minimum body maintenance and minimum stress. This principle of thermal neutrality can be used in brooding and in all phases of growing broiler, broiler breeder pullets and broiler breeder hens.

Figure 1 is a graphic illustration of this concept, and is a concept that every poultry house flock manager must understand.

The environmental controller might be right on the target ambient air temperature setting put into the program, but it must be adjusted or tweaked for the highest level of growing, gaining, performance and stress minimization.

Stress Minimization 24 Hours Per Day, Every Day

The maximum growth potential of the day-old chick is determined by the breed chosen and is part of the bird’s genetic programming. This maximum potential is etched in stone upon arrival at the farm. (Read The Importance of Day Old Chick Quality).

However, whether or how far this growth potential is actually realized depends largely on the quality of the broiler house and the quality of the broiler house environmental management. When birds are unstressed by temperature variations, poor air quality, wet bedding or disease, they are able to maximize their growth by taking in adequate feed and water.

Environmental management is the key to achieving the grower’s goal of achieving maximum flock live weight in the shortest time frame and at least cost.

Concept of Body Maintenance

Another key point to understand about the process of converting feed to broiler meat is that birds have a strict priority system dictating that feed nutrients always go first to satisfying body maintenance functions, such as maintaining internal body temperature.

The feed nutrients that can be used for growth and gaining weight are only the amounts left over after the bird’s survival needs are met. Under conditions such as severe heat or cold stress, feed/water deprivation, respiratory stress or disease, a broiler flock may divert feed entirely to maintenance and gain little or no weight during a 24-hour period.

If body maintenance functions cannot be met, the bird is open to infectious agents and sickness. So, in other words, for example, a forty-day old broiler must meet its maintenance requirements before it can become a 41-day broiler by weight. This is why we must strive to maintain an optimum stress-free environment for birds, in which they have to use the least amount of feed for maintenance, and can use the most feed nutrients for weight gain.

The poultry house design and the environmental control mechanism must be high precision tools to do this if we are going to extract the maximum genetic potential that is available.

As mentioned above, the bird’s internal heat balance is the most critical factor in maximizing growth. When the surrounding air temperature is too cold, the bird has to use feed energy just to keep itself warm. If the air temperature is too warm and the air is still (no wind), the bird has to expend feed energy in panting or lifting its wings to shed excess internal heat and keep its own temperature from going too high.

Moving air over the bird (accelerated convective heat removal) helps carry heat away from the bird’s body. If still air is too warm for bird comfort, getting the air moving provides a wind-chill effect that creates a lower experienced or effective temperature. On the other hand, if still air is too cool for bird comfort, any wind (draft) will make the bird experience an even lower effective temperature and it will have to use more feed energy to stay comfortable. Bird growth is maximized only when the effective temperature — the temperature experienced by the bird — is within a certain optimum range, not too hot and not too cold, as shown in Figure 1. Effective temperature cannot be measured.

Bottom Line

Whenever two similar broiler flocks show a marked difference in overall performance, the bottom line is that the difference in performance will be the result of a difference in body maintenance requirements.

The specific causes might be identified as temperature extremes, drafts or chills, which drain heat away from the bird’s body, better or poorer air quality, different feeding/drinking patterns, infectious causes, etc. But always the flock with the lowest maintenance requirements will shift the most nutrients into growth, which will be reflected in better overall performance. (Figure 2).

Mycotoxins that contaminate crops and animal feed have been recognized as a risk to farm animals, and account for considerable economic costs to the feed and food industries. Their widespread occurrence and related threat has been documented consistently in the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey.

Dangers to feed safety, sustainability

“Mycotoxins are among the most important safety risks for the future livestock feed industry and security of the feed supply chain,” stated Dr Gunther Antonissen of Ghent University in Belgium.

Fungi-produced mycotoxins endanger more than feed safety and security. They also hamper productivity, adding additional cost to the feed and food industry while also affecting the environment.

“Due to their negative effects on farm animal productivity and health, mycotoxins prevent the animal protein industry from achieving an efficient and sustainable use of natural resources,” observed Dr. Wulf-Dieter Moll of the BIOMIN Research Center.

Harmful mycotoxins do not have to contaminate feed in high concentrations to make their negative effects felt in farm animals. “At present, clinical mycotoxicosis caused by high doses is rare,” explained Dr Antonissen.

“However, also the ingestion of low to moderate levels of these toxins cause an array of metabolic, physiologic and immunologic disturbances, with the gastrointestinal tract as one of the major target organs,” he added.

Climate change accelerates mycotoxin production

Higher atmospheric temperatures, elevated carbon dioxide levels and water stress associated with climate change may all contribute to higher mycotoxin contamination of crops in the future.

“Studies suggest that in staple commodities such as maize [corn], aflatoxin contamination may be stimulated, which has an impact on food/feed chains,” commented Prof Naresh Magan of Cranfield University in UK. “Other temperate cereals such as wheat, barley, and oats may also be less resilient under climate change conditions, increasing the risk of mycotoxin contamination pre- and post-harvest.”

“Europe was first significantly impacted by aflatoxin in 2003, when around 40% of maize lots were highly contaminated,” noted Prof Battilani. “The same has occurred for each of the last 10 years.

Upcoming discussion

These experts will delve into further detail on the threat and future of mycotoxins at the Mycotoxin Session of the 2018 World Nutrition Forum in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 to 5 October, 2018.

Convening in Cape Town

Commonly known as the ‘Mother City’ and recognized as a top global destination, Cape Town offers a vibrant, multicultural setting and modern infrastructure well suited for meetings and conventions. Attractive sights, unmatched hospitality, an eclectic mix of cuisines and the world-class Cape Town International Convention Centre are just a few of many attributes that will make the 2018 World Nutrition Forum experience both eye-catching and eye-opening.

]]>PoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-2058Thu, 19 Jul 2018 16:26:00 +0200WNF 2018 - S.C.O.P.E.http://www.biomin.net/cz/videa/wnf-2018-scope/
The 2018 World Nutrition Forum held 3-5 October in Cape Town, South Africa will explore the theme of S.C.O.P.E. – Scientific Challenges and Opportunities in the Protein Economy. This video previews highlights of many key topics that will be addressed at the scientific conference, in plenary and breakout sessions for poultry, swine, ruminants and aquaculture.

What will be the next challenges and opportunities for the protein economy?

Join the discussion on social media. #WNFCapeTown

]]>PoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureVideosnews-2057Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:37:00 +0200Short-term and Low Dose Deoxynivalenol Exposure Reduces Rainbow Trout Performancehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/short-term-and-low-dose-deoxynivalenol-exposure-reduces-rainbow-trout-performance/
A new scientific paper published in the Journal of the World Aquaculture Society reveals that even short or low level exposure to deoxynivalenol hinders the performance of rainbow trout. Photo: istockphoto

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi, exerts negative effects on an animal’s gastrointestinal tract. The replacement of expensive animal-derived proteins such as fishmeal with cheaper plant sources in aquafeeds means that the most common mycotoxin globally is now creeping into aquaculture rations.

In fact, deoxynivalenol is present in 68% of aquafeed samples analyzed worldwide according to the new study.

Experimental design

Four lots of rainbow trout were observed. Each lot received an identical diet with a different level of deoxynivalenol. The control group diet did not include the addition of mycotoxins. Two groups diets received high DON levels over a short term (50 days): one diet had a DON concentration of 1166 ppb (μg/kg) and the other contained 2745 ppb of DON. The fourth diet contained a low DON level: 367 ppb over 168 days—a scenario that most closely represents real production conditions.

Level of DON contamination impacts growth

During a short-term DON exposure, rainbow trout is sensitive to DON contamination. This sensitivity increases with the level of contamination. Thus, in a highly contaminated environment (2745 ppb DON) we note a significant decrease of growth performance parameters compared to a control sample (Figure 1). Deoxynivalenol (2745 ppb DON) have an impact on the final weight, the specific growth rate and the feed intake.

DON exposure time and rainbow trout

Based on the study, we can confirm that a short period of DON exposure can have negative effects on the fish growth. However, a longer exposure at low level of contamination seems to be more representative of farmed rainbow trout conditions.

While low level DON exposure did not show a serious impact on fish during the first days of the experiment, we can notice harmful effect by the end of it in terms of lower final weight, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Growth curve representing the average weight of the fish during the long-term experimentAdapted from Gonçalves et al. 2018

Difficult to pinpoint problem

The main challenge for producers is that fish do not present reliable clinical signs of low level deoxynivalenol exposure, which makes it difficult to spot a mycotoxin contamination problem. The lower performance over the long-term means less profit from a crop, however.

Only through regular testing can producers take the necessary steps to protect their aquatic species and profits from mycotoxins.

]]>MycotoxinsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-2054Tue, 17 Jul 2018 10:43:00 +0200New BIOMIN website now available in Tamilhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/new-biomin-website-now-available-in-tamil/
BIOMIN has now launched a Tamil version of the new corporate website www.biomin.net.

In an age of increased user mobility, the new BIOMIN website presents a fresh look with ease of navigation on all technology platforms—desktop and laptop computers, and mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.

Strengthening visual appeal while preserving the content-rich structure that embodies the strong research and development core of BIOMIN, the revamped site comes with the following new features:

A new improved newsletter design that allows responsive mailings for optimized display on smartphones, particularly to meet the trend of increasing eMail use on smartphones

Large pictures and attractive visuals offer a modern look that combines both useability and appeal

A stronger species-focus to help users quickly navigate their way to the most relevant information

A new and improved search feature to support timely information search Major improvements in the Knowledge Center such as filters and a dedicated search allow users quick and easy access to articles, videos, magazine issues and more.

Mastitis, a costly disease affecting the dairy industry worldwide, is a complex disease with many factors influencing its occurrence. Mycotoxins can increase the risk of mastitis and negatively impact milk production and milk quality.

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, typically caused by an intramammary infection. Bacteria are the most common cause of mastitis in dairy cows, but other microorganisms have been isolated from the milk of quarters with mastitis including yeast, fungi, mycoplasmas, algae, and viruses. Physical trauma or chemical irritation can also cause mastitis. There are multiple ways to classify cases of mastitis. The first major classification is the source of the pathogen (Table 1). Major contagious pathogens include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Mycoplasma spp. Common environmental pathogens include Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. as well as environmental Streptococci including S. uberis and S. dysgalactiae. A third group exists, ‘skin flora opportunists’, which consists of the coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) species that colonize healthy teat skin. The second classification of clinical vs. subclinical mastitis deals with the presentation of the disease. Clinical cases result in visible abnormalities of the milk and/or quarter, and range from mild to severe. Subclinical infections do not cause overt changes in the milk or quarter. Both mastitis types cause increases in somatic cell count (SCC). An elevated SCC often signals subclinical mastitis. A third classification is acute vs. chronic mastitis. This has to do with the timing and duration of the disease. Acute cases are characterized by their sudden onset, but are often quickly resolved. Chronic cases continue over a longer period of time.

Table 1. Contagious and environmental mastitis

Contagious mastitis

Environmental mastitis

Reservoir

Infected mammary glands

The cow’s environment including bedding/stalls/soil, manure, water and feedstuffs

Costs

Economic losses stem from reduced milk production and decreased milk quality. Farmers must discard milk from cows with clinical cases of mastitis and from cows undergoing antibiotic treatment (according to withdrawal periods). Treatment and veterinary costs rise, as do labor costs.

Mycotoxins

Some of the main consequences of mycotoxin contamination in dairy cows in relation to udder health and milk production are:

Reduced milk yield and quality

Toxic contaminants in milk, especially Aflatoxin M1

Increased risk of intramammary infections and mastitis

Altered milk composition

Reduced milk yield results from several factors, including a decrease in feed intake or feed refusal associated with certain mycotoxin contamination of the feed. Additionally, mycotoxins can alter rumen function, reducing nutrient absorption and impairing metabolism, which ultimately leads to reduced availability of the precursors needed for milk synthesis.

Addressing predisposing factors

Proper milking parlour management and milking routines are essential to limiting the risk of mastitis in a herd. The milking system must be well maintained, ensuring that properly functioning, clean equipment is used to harvest milk. Good hygiene is critical. Clean sand is considered the gold standard bedding material, as inorganic materials do not support the growth of pathogens. The environment also influences mammary health as increased temperature and humidity better support pathogen growth in the cow’s surroundings. Additionally, heat stress reduces the cow’s resistance to infection. Cows in negative energy balance, especially transition cows, are more susceptible to infection. Diets must meet vitamin and mineral requirements to support proper immune function. Coordinating the delivery of fresh feed while cows are in the parlour will entice cows to eat once they return to the pen after milking. This provides time for the teat ends to close while the cows remain standing at the feed bunk and limits exposure to pathogens following milking. Finally, feed should be monitored for the presence of mycotoxins and an effective mycotoxincounteracting product should be incorporated into the feed. Many factors influence the development of mastitis, making mastitis control and prevention a constant challenge for dairy producers striving to produce high quality milk for consumers.

]]>MycotoxinsFeed PreservationRuminantsArticlesnews-2052Thu, 12 Jul 2018 16:04:00 +0200Get More Out of Your Corn Silage with BioStabil® Mayshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/get-more-out-of-your-corn-silage-with-biostabilr-mays/
Corn silage is successfully grown around the world in most climates, but timely harvesting and correct ensiling procedures are required to ensure the highest quality is achieved. Adding BioStabil® Mays to harvested material will ensure protection against a wide range of pathogens, maintaining forage quality and delivering animal performance.istockphoto/jess311

On most dairy and beef farms today, we see corn silage in the ration. Why is corn silage so popular in milk and meat production?

In many different geographical regions around the world, corn silage is the main ingredient of cattle diets. It provides an excellent source of energy along with fiber to stimulate chewing activity. It has a high value not only from the animal’s perspective in terms of a high nutrient content to support production, but also from the profitability and economic point of view of the farmer, as it is able to improve feed efficiency and achieve high levels of animal performance. The maize plant, although originally from Central Mexico, has adapted and grows well in a wide range of climates and on many different types of soil. Even in regions with unpredictable rainfall, corn for ensiling grows and remains a more reliable source of nutrients than other forages. However, in order to become a valuable and palatable diet ingredient, it must be harvested in a timely manner and preserved appropriately. If the ensiling process of a very good corn crop is poorly executed, problems will arise for the farm manager and the animals at feed-out.

What could farmers do better when managing corn plants for silage?

The best methods for growing corn and preserving silage come from the very good farms. However, in practice, crop management looks very different from farm to farm. Some farms manage silage perfectly well and others not so well. It often happens that a good crop brought in from the field dramatically loses its nutritional value during storage in pits and silo bunkers, and during feeding out. Heating of the silage in storage and on the feeding table is very common. Small changes due to improper management of the fermentation stage happen very often, leading to complaints about reduced feed intakes.

Why is harvest time so important in silage production?

In practice, the maize harvest for silage takes place in one of two ways. It either falls in the very busy time of late summer, when there is increased workload and a shortage of time, machinery and people due to all the other necessary work that must be carried out, resulting in the maize harvest being delayed. Alternatively, harvest falls in early autumn as one of the last fieldwork tasks of the year, in the period of lower temperatures, shortening days and frequent rainfall, which hinder or prevent the entry of machines into fields. Neither of these situations is ideal. If late summer harvesting happens in southern countries, the undesired drying of leaves, stems and kernels promotes the development of fungi and other harmful microorganisms. These are then transported with the plants and stored in the silo. Over time, starch in the kernels changes into a less available form. The dried leaves and stalks become less digestible for the animals and more difficult to cut down into short pieces for proper compaction. There is likely to be a high level of mycotoxin contamination, causing further problems when the contaminated silage is fed. With early autumn harvesting more popular in cooler regions located further north, maize has a very slow start after planting due to the reduced soil temperature. In many cases, the corn must be harvested before the grain is fully matured, due to the high risk of early frost. In those regions with prolonged periods of coolness accompanied by abundant, long-lasting rains, the harvest of immature plants is further hindered by poor field conditions, preventing the use of harvesting machines. Both scenarios cause further problems with ensiling and feeding out.

What kind of problems can we expect with delayed harvest or harvest of immature plants?

Any delay to the silage harvest will increase the risk of contamination with fungi, molds and yeast. This causes both aerobic and anaerobic instability of the ensiled material, leading to a significant reduction of nutrients. Dried plants are more difficult to cut and many leaves are left uncut, having slipped through the knives of the harvester, making them resistant to compaction. Proper compaction of such a material is almost impossible; a lot of oxygen will remain hidden in the stems, which will cause further problems with yeast activity and a general instability of the ensiled material due to heating. Plants harvested with a relatively low dry matter content in rainy, wet conditions are exposed to significant soil pollution with high risk of Clostridia, Listeria and Enterobacteriaceae contamination.All pathogens that are present on plants will also be present in the storage silo, competing for nutrients including carbohydrates and proteins. During their growth, microorganisms will also carry out their own fermentation. For example, the presence of Clostridia leads to higher levels of butyric acid, and alcohol is a result of yeast fermentation in the silage. The result is not only a significant reduction in the nutrient content of the stored material but also poor palatability. Listeria is responsible for abortion and mastitis problems on farms. Enterobacteriaceae, which is very common in wet silage, converts plant sugars into acetic acid, ethanol and CO2 with high nutrient loses, a bad smell and compromised palatability.

Is there a method to prevent these undesirable microorganisms from getting into the ensiled material or to kill them before storage?

Unfortunately, there is no such method. We cannot shake or wash them out of the plants prior to ensiling. Nor can we use a chemical treatment as the forage needs to be safe and palatable for the high-producing animals it is being fed to. The only way to reduce the microorganism content is by creating conditions in the ensiled material that will quickly stop or at least limit their growth. Unfortunately, this is not an easy task. When the growth of Clostridia and Enterobacteriaceae limit the rapid reduction in pH, yeast and Listeria can still cope with only slightly acidic conditions. Compaction and elimination of oxygen will also not always work as yeast and Clostridia are not affected by oxygen reduction. Yeast can survive under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions and Clostridia needs anaerobic conditions for growth and reproduction. Table 1 shows some methods of controlling microorganisms.

Table 1. Control of harmful microorganisms present in silages

Is there a method that will limit the growth of harmful microorganisms in such a complicated situation?

BioStabil® Mays from BIOMIN is a new solution for ensiling corn with such a wide range of pathogens. BioStabil® Mays is an inoculant with a broad spectrum of protection covering a wide range of harvested corn dry matter contents. BioStabil® Mays contains a unique combination of the strains that effectively fight the pathogens during the ensiling process of maize plants (Table 1).

This unique combination of strains includes:

L. kefiri, a novel hetero-fermentative bacterial strain that works very efficiently against aerobic yeast, causing secondary fermentation in high dry matter silages.

L. brevis, also a hetero-fermentative strain that works very effectively in low dry matter silages, with strong pH reduction and high efficiency in reducing Clostridia and Listeria in ensiled materials.

L. plantarum, a strong homo-fermentative strain leading the fermentation process, limiting Enterobacteriaceae and other coliforms.

Does using BioStabil® Mays on silage guarantee the best quality corn silage for efficient milk and meat production?

In the past, different methods have been tried with varying results. The search for even better results is still ongoing but today, BioStabil® Mays offers the best solution for silage production.Forage is the main component of the ration. In order to reduce costs on farm, forage quality needs to be high. With high-quality, well-preserved forage, we can expect high dry matter intakes and better digestibility of nutrients, followed by enhanced feed conversion, and ultimately higher farm profitability.

Corn silage is used in ruminant diets globally as an excellent source of energy and fiber.

While corn is able to grow in many climates, the quality of corn silage is greatly affected by time of harvest and the ensiling procedures used.

The silage harvest typically occurs when either plant condition or harvesting conditions are compromised, increasing the likelihood of the silage being contaminated with pathogens.

Adding BioStabil® Mays to harvested material will protect against pathogens before ensiling, ensuring that silage quality and subsequent animal performance are as high as possible.

]]>Feed PreservationSpecialized SolutionsRuminantsArticlesnews-2051Thu, 12 Jul 2018 15:16:00 +0200Should We Trust Our Feed To Deliver Dairy Cow Performance?http://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/should-we-trust-our-feed-to-deliver-dairy-cow-performance/
Rising demand for milk and milk products is putting increasing pressure on each individual animal in the dairy herd. Technological and genetic advances have raised potential milk yields, but does our feed help or hinder performance?Feed PreservationSpecialized SolutionsRuminantsArticlesnews-2050Thu, 12 Jul 2018 14:50:00 +0200Science & Solutions No. 57 - Ruminantshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/casopisy/science-solutions-no-57-ruminants/
In this issue: Should we trust our feed to deliver dairy cow performance?; Get more out of your corn silage with BioStabil® Mays; What is wrong with my herd? Part 7Are you ready to switch to summer management?

For the majority of people, summer means going on holiday, resting from work and spending time with family and friends.

For dairy farmers, summer is a challenging time with intensification of fieldwork and helping animals overcome the problems associated with heat stress. All farm staff –including the nutritionist, veterinarian and agronomist– are on high alert to manage potential problems. In summer, high performing animals require more attention.Over the past two decades, intensive genetic selection to enhance efficiency and milk production has resulted in high-performing dairy cows that require a lot of attention. This is even more necessary with increasing environmental temperatures, often coupled with higher humidity levels. It is important to avoid mistakes like animal sorting, improper feeding or lack of ventilation. We know that mistakes made in the summer have long-lasting, costly consequences on the health status and performance of animals. The first article in this issue of Science & Solutions offers suggestions on how to support your high-performing herd using proper nutrition.As summer is also a very intensive time for agronomists, this issue will review a number of challenges faced when growing corn for silage in different geographical regions together with some success factors.You will also learn why it is so important to properly preserve harvested forage material with the use of the unique bacteria strain L. kefiri in Biostabil® Mays from BIOMIN.Finally, Paige Gott gives a short overview of the factors influencing mastitis, which are often related to an increase in environmental temperatures. She offers some practical advice on how to prevent this costly disease.

All of the topics were prepared especially for you so please enjoy reading this issue of Science & Solutions, keeping you naturally informed.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Should We Trust Our Feed To Deliver Dairy Cow Performance?Rising demand for milk and milk products is putting increasing pressure on each individual animal in the dairy herd. Technological and genetic advances have raised potential milk yields, but does our feed help or hinder performance?

Get More Out of Your Corn Silage with BioStabil® MaysCorn silage is successfully grown around the world in most climates, but timely harvesting and correct ensiling procedures are required to ensure the highest quality is achieved. Adding BioStabil® Mays to harvested material will ensure protection against a wide range of pathogens, maintaining forage quality and delivering animal performance.

]]>Feed PreservationSpecialized SolutionsRuminantsMagazinesnews-2048Wed, 11 Jul 2018 09:46:00 +0200Phytogenics: A Tool to Reduce the Impact of Beak Trimming on Pullet Performancehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/phytogenics-a-tool-to-reduce-the-impact-of-beak-trimming-on-pullet-performance/
Management practices such as beak trimming may affect bird performance in the field. Scientific developments have given rise to important tools such as phytogenics that modulate the impact of stress caused by these management procedures, minimizing their negative effects on performance. Photo: istockphoto/mschowe

Certain poultry field activities can trigger physiological processes leading to loss in performance parameters.

Where allowed and done correctly, beak trimming is a tool for:

Preventing birds from causing harm to each other

Stopping cannibalism

Removing abnormalities that may lead to social stress and an increase in mortality.

Scientific developments have resulted in the addition of phytogenic products to poultry diets to alleviate the impact beak trimming has on performance.

Background

Beak trimming is used to eliminate feather peaking and cannibalism in the poultry industry (Cloutier et al., 2000), even though it causes feed intake depression and losses in body weight gain and uniformity. Body weights may be 2 or 3% lower in beak-trimmed birds compared to their body weight prior to beak trimming.

This body weight loss may increase depending on the age of the bird, the extent of trimming, and other environmental conditions such as heat stress, high humidity, or housing density. A number of countries have begun to limit or phase out beak trimming (BHWT, 2018). Additionally, activists consider beak trimming a mutilation given that this practice touches on animal welfare—a topic gaining importance among consumers nowadays.

Phytogenic feed additives

Phytogenics are plant extracts with biological activity. Science Scientific research has demonstrated biological activity of plants and plants extracts to produce positive consequences including anti-inflammatory, digestibility enhancing, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. The main objective of the science in developing products with these substances is to support gut performance and subsequently the response of the immune system against frequent challenges faced by birds in the field.

Phytogenics as a complementary strategy to diminish beak-trimming effects on performance

Beak trimming leads to an inflammatory process. The cardinal signs of all inflammatory processes are discomfort, increased temperature, redness, and poor function of the organs involved which triggers the inflammatory processes. As a consequence of these effects, birds may reduce their feed intake, negatively affecting growth and live weight gain.

Phytogenics are able to diminish the impact of this management practice through their anti-inflammatory and gut protective effects and ability to enhance feed digestibility. The anti-inflammatory effect is due to an influence on the regulation of chemokines secretion leading to modulation of the immune response in the bird. It has been broadly demonstrated that essential oils can positively influence the digestibility of feed ingredients and nutrient extraction through enhancing digestive enzyme activity (Lee et al., 2003; Jang et al., 2007), improving liver function and fat digestibility (Lee et al., 2004a,b), and increasing the concentration of digestive enzymes coming from pancreas (Al-Kassie, 2009).

Case study results

One commercial study was carried out in Colombia with female Lohmann Brown birds from one day old day to 17 weeks of age were split into two groups. Average temperatures throughout the trial were 24oC. There were two groups, control group (65000 birds) and the Digestarom® group (72000 birds).

The birds in both groups had their beaks trimmed but only those in the Digestarom® group received Digestarom® Poultry additive at a dose of 150g/ton of feed. Body weight (Figure 1) and mortality (Fig 2) were measured at 17 weeks of age.

The average body weight of the birds in the Digestarom® treatment group was 73 g heavier at 17 weeks of age compared to those in the control group. In addition, mortality was nearly one percentage point lower in the Digestarom® treatment group.

Figure 1. Body weight at 17 weeks of age

Figure 2. Total mortality at 17 weeks of age

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the average body weight and feed intake of the two groups over the duration of the trial respectively. Both graphs show that the Digestarom® treatment group had higher average body weights, and higher feed intake levels for the majority of the trial.

Figure 3. Body weight over time

Figure 4. Feed intake over time

Summary

Management practices such as beak trimming may cause feed intake depression and a reduction in body weight and body weight uniformity. Science has discovered plant extracts with biological compounds, called phytogenics, which may help to reduce the negative impact of these management practices on the performance of pullets. Using these scientific developments, it is possible to modulate the inflammatory response, to enhance gut integrity, and to reduce poor feed intake after beak trimming. These effects result in higher absorptive surface (due to less damage and cell turnover) leading to feed efficiency increased and a general better performance compared to untreated flocks.

]]>PhytogenicsPoultryBlog Postsnews-2035Fri, 06 Jul 2018 09:37:00 +0200BIOMIN at International Pig Veterinary Congress 2018http://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/biomin-at-international-pig-veterinary-congress-2018/
BIOMIN displays expertise in mycotoxin risk management and gut performance management at International Pig Veterinary Congress 2018BIOMIN recently participated in the four-day International Pig Veterinary Congress 2018 (IPVS) in Chongqing, China, which ran from 11-14 June 2018. To showcase its commitment to the swine industry, BIOMIN participated with a gold sponsorship at this event, allowing the company to also exhibit its products and services at a 36sqm booth space.

The 25th edition of IPVS was organized by the International Pig Veterinary Society, in collaboration with the Chinese Association of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University and Beijing Boyar Communications. This event also marks the Congress’ debut show in China after 50 years of history.

Through active participation in the International Pig Veterinary Congress (IPVS), BIOMIN demonstrated its capabilities in scientific research and development. In the 2017 BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey, 71% of total collected samples were tested and found to have more than one mycotoxin present, further confirming the message on the high prevalence of mycotoxins worldwide, and especially so in Asia. The BIOMIN team was on site to explain to visitors about the importance of the Mycofix®product line in decreasing the risk of mycotoxins.

Alexandro Marchioro, Regional Product Manager – Mycotoxin Risk Management, and Elisabeth Mayer, Research Team Leader, also displayed their technical expertise in their poster presentations on “Biotransformation of Deoxynivalenol by enzymes produced by bacteria of the Coriobacteriaceae family in pigs" and “In the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON), CD4+ T cells with a pro-inflammatory cytokine profile are enriched in the porcine liver” respectively.

The sales team from China and other parts of Asia also used this opportunity to touch base with visitors, to demonstrate how the Biomin® Solutions will allow sustainable growth in the swine industry.

]]>MycotoxinsProbioticsAcidifiersPigsNewsnews-2034Thu, 05 Jul 2018 15:18:00 +0200Managing endotoxin risks in pigshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/managing-endotoxin-risks-in-pigs/
Endotoxins, which are structural components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, are invisible, odourless and cannot be detected by smell or taste, but can significantly reduce immune status and pig’s performance. Dr SIYEONG CHOI and MICHELE MUCCIO* discuss how to bind these endotoxins in the gut and therefore reduce the negative effects on pigs.

Endotoxins and their negative effects in animals

Lipopolysaccharides, also commonly known as endotoxins, are cell wall components of Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, which are released upon bacterial replication or death (lysis). Lipopolysaccharides vary according to originating bacteria, being more or less harmful or toxic, according to variability happening in the O-specific polysaccharide chain. They also serve as a potential barrier to antimicrobials from entering the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Pigs are continuously exposed to lipopolysaccharides throughout their lives. While the main route for lipopolysaccharide exposure in pigs is the gastrointestinal tract, the concentration of endotoxins in the air and dust should not be overlooked: endotoxins are a major component of biological dust.

In healthy animals, the intestinal epithelium and other epithelia such as that found on the skin or lungs, represent an effective barrier that prevents the passage of lipopolysaccharides into the bloodstream. Endotoxins can elicit strong immune responses, weakening immune systems and impairing performance. In the body of the animal, endotoxins cause an inflammatory cascade that increases a pig’s maintenance requirements (due to fever) that, coupled with anorexia, means less energy available for growth. Moreover, a severely pronounced immune response can lead to septic shock. Endotoxins also impair feed efficiency. A recent study of common challenges in pig farms reported a reduction in feed intake of 3% due to parasitic infections, 4.1% due to poor housing conditions, 10.2% due to digestive bacterial infections, 17.3% caused by respiratory diseases, 25.2% due to mycotoxicosis (mycotoxin-induced diseases) and 26.8% due to lipopolysaccharides (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Metabolic consequences of an activated immune system due to different challenges.

Prevention and management of endotoxin risks

In recent years, new concerns have emerged on nutritional, environmental and social factors that may disrupt the barrier function and/or increase exposure to lipopolysaccharides. The gut is the first line of defense against endotoxins and, if compromised due to nutrition, stress or metabolic state, endotoxin transport can increase, for example, heat stress, mycotoxins, inflammation, etc. In several livestock species, it is well established that a 1 to 2°C increase in body temperature causes the intestinal tight junction proteins to be affected, increasing intestinal permeability and allowing more lipopolysaccharides to enter the blood stream. High caloric and high fat diets increase serum endotoxin concentrations and induce acute low grade inflammation. Starvation depresses the expression and function of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), a brush–border enzyme that detoxifies lipopolysaccharides.

The Biomin solution for managing endotoxins

Mycofix is a state of the art, market leader product for the deactivation of mycotoxins, that utilises three strategies to provide a 360° counteraction:

adsorption

biotransformation

bioprotection

The product demonstrated efficacy against endotoxins as well, combining the strength of the only EU registered adsorbent existing on the market, with Biomin bioprotection mix: a combination of carefully selected plant and algae extracts that support the gastrointestinal tract, immune system and the liver. The performance of Mycofix on endotoxins was recently evaluated in two trials conducted at Iowa State University (USA) and at the Centre for Applied Animal Nutrition (CAN) in Austria. The aim of the trials was to evaluate the effects of Mycofix on endotoxin permeability and inflammation response in piglets under heat stress conditions. In the Iowa State University trial, 32 one-week post weaning gilts were assigned to two treatments: a control feed with no additive and a group where 2.5 kg of Mycofix per tonne of feed was included. The duration of the trial was 28 days. Several parameters were evaluated, including average daily weight gain and ileal endotoxin permeability (Figures 2 and 3).

In the second trial conducted at CAN, 36 piglets (21 days-old) were assigned to two treatments: a control diet with no additive; and a diet containing 2.5 kg of Mycofix per tonne of feed for 56 days. Several parameters were evaluated including performance (average daily weight gain in kg/d) over the whole feeding period, gut permeability during heat stress, measured via the sugar permeability assay (lactulose/rhamnose or L:R ratio), and endotoxin concentration (Units/mL) in the blood during heat stress (Figures 4, 5 and 6).

Figure 6. Endotoxin concentration in serum of pigs receiving either control feed or Mycofix on the first day of the heat stress.

Conclusion

Results of both trials demonstrate that Mycofix at a concentration of 2.5 kg per tonne of finished feed was able to counteract the negative effects of increased intestinal permeability induced by heat stress in weaning pigs; and to decrease endotoxin concentration in the blood. All results suggest a counteraction of the triggering effects by endotoxins, which lead to an increased performance during heat stress when Mycofix is used.

This article originally appeared in Asian Pork.

]]>MycotoxinsPigsArticlesnews-2032Wed, 04 Jul 2018 13:52:00 +0200An Alternative Way to Boost Egg Production in Layershttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/an-alternative-way-to-boost-egg-production-in-layers/
The top three issues in the layer industry are disease, suboptimal management practices and decreased egg production, all of which can result in lower profits for producers. Preventing these factors will improve egg production and profitability in layer units. Photo: iStockphoto_Monticelllo

When chickens are not well fed, egg production will decrease. This is mostly caused by a lack of drinking water and low feed intake levels. Chickens tend to eat less when the feed is not tasty or when they are stressed due to environmental factors, especially when it gets too hot. Therefore, clean drinking water and high quality feed should be available at all times.

Management and lighting

On the management side, as an example, good biosecurity practices and lighting management are important for in-housed chickens. When the lights are off, chickens do not eat and this results in low egg production. Lights should be checked regularly so that they do not get dimmer. Exposure to light for less than the minimum time required results in a drop in egg production. On the other hand, when chickens are exposed to too much light, they reach sexual maturity at an early stage and they lay very small eggs.

Need for efficiency

Predictions suggest that in 2050, 9 billion people will need to be fed worldwide. Planet Earth is a limited system in terms of natural resources e.g. arable land. So, the challenge is to get more food from the same limited system. The answer is greater efficiency. Efficiency must consider all the stages in the food production chain. Genetic companies are focused on continuously improving laying efficiency. In 1998, a layer was able to lay 310 eggs in 72 weeks. Today, twenty years later, it is 320 eggs in the same period.

Feed is another key factor for layers’ efficiency. Since feed represents between 60% and 70% of the total cost of egg production, a lot of attention is paid to improving feed efficiency. Selected phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) are capable of supporting layer performance in these ways.

The power of phytogenics

Phytogenics have traditionally been used as flavors and spices in human nutrition and medicine or even for food preservation. The incredible biodiversity of the plant kingdom provides a large variety of different herbs and spices with an enormous number of active substances exerting different effects in the organism. These effects range from stimulating endogenous enzyme secretion, influencing gut microbiota and enhancing gut protection.

Their mechanism of action depends on the chemical structure of the active substances or constituents. Spices, herbs, essential oils or extracts exert different effects. For example, phenols such as thymol, carvacrol and eugenol (often derived from thyme, oregano and clove) and their methyl ethers have a very strong antiseptic effect. Species of the families of Apiaceae such as caraway and fennel and Lamiaceae (e.g. rosemary and peppermint) have strong antioxidative properties. Other plant compounds support better digestibility by boosting digestive secretions such as bile, mucus and saliva, as well as enhancing enzyme activity. Constant and reliable results in animals, however, can only be achieved with a well-defined formulation of a phytogenic blend, including standardized raw material with continuous quality control.

One question that we often receive from customers is whether probiotics can withstand the heat treatments being used in normal feed production practices.

Some probiotic companies claim that sporulated bacteria such as Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp. are less heat sensitive than non-sporulated bacteria such as lactic acid producing bacteria and Bifidiobacterium spp. This in itself is true, but it is not a complete answer.

Protection from oxygen sometimes required

Bifidiobacterium spp. are obligate anaerobes, meaning they cannot grow in the presence of oxygen, and therefore need to be protected from air in order for them to survive. Certain coating technologies offer protection against the normal heat and steam treatments currently used in feed manufacture, which can have additional stabilizing effects for survivability of obligate anaerobic bacteria. However, these protective coatings need to be adapted to the species, and even the specific strain’s needs, in order to warrant proper protection during the pelleting process.

Extreme processing and application options

Some feed mills and farmers use exceptional heat treatments such as high temperatures and time conditioning, expansion and even extrusion. Extrusion is being utilized more and more due to increasing awareness and requirements in food safety. Under these circumstances, the viability of any probiotic, sporulated, encapsulated or not protected, is severely challenged, but the microorganism is usually not completely destroyed.

In this case, the use of water-soluble probiotics in the hatchery or on arrival at the rearing farm, can be an effective way to deliver beneficial bacteria to birds’ gastrointestinal tracts. An alternative for the future is the development of post-pellet probiotic application, similar to technology already being used for enzyme coatings at feed mills. These represent the most sophisticated methods for delivering live probiotic microorganisms in modern poultry production systems; further investigation and development in these methods is likely to continue to ensure the benefits of probiotics are reaching the birds.

The easier-yet-less-advanced direction is to move to non-viable probiotic microbe containing additive products. Here, pelleting stability is the big advantage. However, not all beneficial characteristics of the live probiotic, for example competitive exclusion through colonization, can be achieved with a non-viable probiotic organism in poultry feed.

Looking for a heat stable in feed or water application poultry probiotic?

PoultryStar® is a well-defined, poultry-specific, multi-species synbiotic product with EU authorization that promotes a beneficial gut microflora, and is available in both water application and a microencapsulated form for feed application which allows the product to withstand high temperatures used in pelleted feed.

Mycotoxins, secondary toxic metabolites produced from fungi, are present in poultry feed all the time. Even when analysis results show that mycotoxin contamination is below guideline levels suggested by major agriculture countries, there can still be cause for concern. So what does it mean if mycotoxins are present in feed at low levels? Any mycotoxins present in feed are delivered straight to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of the birds, the organ most affected by mycotoxins. The GIT is the most important organ for converting feed into energy, and its ability to function properly is directly linked to poultry productivity. The GIT is the biggest immune organ in the body system. Among the major mycotoxins, DON (deoxynivalenol), ZEN (zearalenone) and FUM (fumonisins) are often overlooked when considering their impact on poultry health and productivity since their clinical symptoms are not usually obvious or visible. However, there have been a number of scientific and commercial trials that prove these Fusarium mycotoxins are closely related to some important poultry diseases.

Figure 1. Mycotoxin contamination throughout Asia

Mycotoxin Contamination Situation in South Asia

BIOMIN has conducted the Mycotoxin Survey Program annually since 2004. The accumulated number of samples is already over 75,000, which makes the program the largest worldwide data pool for mycotoxin analyses. In 2017, the analysed number of samples hit a record high. Overall, 2017 was another high-risk year for mycotoxins in Asia, similar to 2016. The infographic (Figure 1) shows where the major mycotoxins were found throughout Asia in 2017. Taking a closer look at the results from South Asia or India, Aflatoxin (Afla) is still the biggest threat if we also consider the percentage contamination above the risk threshold. The prevalence of FUM and Ochratoxin A (OTA) in South Asia was the highest of all the Asian sub regions (Figure 2). However, Afla has been always the centre of attention that it is relatively well counteracted.

Figure 2. Mycotoxin Occurrence in India in 2017

Impact of DON and FUM on the poultry gut

More problematic mycotoxins are rather FUM and DON. Unfortunately, in India the awareness of these Fusarium mycotoxins is low. DON is a known protein synthesis inhibitor and can interfere with the metabolism of high turn-over cells such as skin cells (epithelial cells), hepatic cells, immune cells and intestinal epithelial cells. Some of the most frequent sub-clinical symptoms of DON contamination in feed are the reduction in feed intake, wet-droppings and a reduction in vaccine efficacy. On the other hand, FUM blocks the synthesis of complex sphingolipids that play a pivotal role in protecting nerves, muscles and membranes.

Figure 3. Effects of mycotoxins in poultry

Several poultry feeding trials clearly show that Fusarium mycotoxins such as DON and FUM lead to an up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the gut. Seventy percent of immune system is located in the gut, promoting a rapid mucosal inflammatory response, even when mycotoxins are present at low concentrations in feed. Tight junction proteins in the intestinal epithelium are also regulated by such cytokines. Loosened tight junctions can cause “leaky gut syndrome” resulting in pathogens and toxins entering the blood stream and moving to target organs. As a result, the permeability of intestine is increased and the frequency of intestinal disorders and disease outbreaks can consequently increase as well (Figure 4).

Impaired immunity at low mycotoxin contamination levels

DON and its co-occurrence with FUM are known to modulate the immune function. One good example is the reduction in the number of antibody titres against vaccine programs in poultry. Several research results have shown that DON and FUM reduce antibody response to Newcastle Disease (ND) and Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV). In one experiment conducted in Austria, the feeding of a DON-contaminated diet decreased serum antibody titres against the IBV vaccine (Figure 4) compared to the control diet.

Figure 4. Consequences of mycotoxin contamination on gut condition

However, the antibody titres for IBV improved when the DON-contaminated diet group was fed with Mycofix® Select (MSE), a mycotoxin deactivator that includes the DON-biodegrading bacteria, BBSH 797.

Mycotoxin risk management in poultry

When it comes to counteracting mycotoxins, the poultry industry tends to think of “toxin-binders” first. However, clay mineral binders are not an effective answer to all major mycotoxins. Especially not against Fusarium mycotoxins since their structures are not suitable for adsorbing by binders. Biotransformation using microbes and enzymes is the most effective strategy. It provides reliable protection for birds against Fusarium mycotoxins by biodegrading mycotoxins into non-toxic metabolites. The transformation is fast, specific and irreversible.In addition to biotransformation, a bioprotection strategy is also important. Variety of feed additives is available that contains plant and algae extracts to provide a hepato-protective effect and to overcome the immune suppression caused by mycotoxins. A combination of different strategies can counteract the negative effects of mycotoxins in poultry more completely, especially in cases of multi-mycotoxin contamination with the poorly absorbed Fusarium mycotoxins in poultry feed.

]]>MycotoxinsPoultryArticlesnews-2017Wed, 27 Jun 2018 13:11:00 +0200BIOMIN Releases 2018 Phytogenic Feed Additives Survey Results http://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-releases-2018-phytogenic-feed-additives-survey-results/
27 June 2018 – BIOMIN announces the publication of new survey results on the use of phytogenic feed additives (PFAs, or botanicals) in farm animal diets worldwide. The recently published 2018 BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additives Survey report, available on www.biomin.net, reveals insights on the views of more than 700 nutritionists, business owners, veterinarians and consultants located in over 80 countries who are involved in the animal protein industry.

Key findings

51% of respondents use phytogenic feed additives.

60% of respondents report that their PFA use will increase over the next 12 months.

The digestibility enhancement and antimicrobial effects of phytogenics continue to rank as the two top reasons for the application of PFAs in animal diets.

Strong interest

“We’ve seen an extraordinary response from this initiative,” commented Michael Noonan, Global Product Line Manager Phytogenics at BIOMIN. “The interest in how plant-based substances can contribute to better health and performance of farm animals remains strong among the feed and animal protein industries in all sectors and geographies, as evidenced by the latest findings.”

This is the second consecutive year that BIOMIN has commissioned a market research survey of agribusiness professionals in the global protein industry.

Reaping scientific rewards

Though attention on plant-based compounds in animal nutrition has surged, phytogenic feed additives are not new. “Since Digestarom® was first commercialized in 1989, the scientific understanding of precisely-defined PFAs and their effects in animals has expanded exponentially,” stated Mr Noonan.

“The ‘-omics’ technologies have revealed quite a lot in recent years. With advanced next-generation sequencing (NGS) tools, we can now measure the changes in gene expression that result from PFA application,” he observed.

Coping with industry trends

A large majority of respondents face stable or rising feed costs while simultaneously looking to reduce the level of antibiotic use in their operations, according to the survey.

“Whether your aim is to optimize feed costs, nutrient digestibility of raw materials or to reduce antibiotic use, phytogenic feed additives have a role to play,” explained Mr Noonan. “The key to success is to adopt a 360-degree approach that includes biosecurity, management, nutrition, health and good gut performance.”

About phytogenic feed additives

Plant-based phytogenic feed additives – specifically essential oils, plant extracts, herbs and spices – are known to have a range of biologically active properties that can be applied to modern animal production. These include anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and digestion enhancing effects.

Key points

60% of the survey respondents report that their PFA use will increase over the next 12 months.

The digestibility enhancement and antimicrobial effects of PFAs continue to rank as the two top reasons for the application of PFAs in animal diets. Read the full 2018 BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additive Survey results here.

]]>PhytogenicsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureVideosnews-2018Mon, 25 Jun 2018 14:07:00 +02002018 BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additives Surveyhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/2018-biomin-phytogenic-feed-additives-survey/
The views of more than seven hundred agribusiness professionals on the use of phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) reveal a number of interesting insights regarding motivations for using PFAs.Respondents from over 80 countries provided their views on the use of phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) in livestock within the framework of the 2018 BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additives Survey. Views from nutritionists, veterinarians, business owners, CEOs and consultants accounted for more than half of the completed questionnaires (Table 1). In total, 758 respondents from 87 countries across the world (Figure 1) answered the survey in December 2017. The sample group included many key decision-makers. More than three-quarters (82%) of respondents played a role in selecting feed ingredients for their organization. The feed industry and consultants accounted for 42% of responses, followed by those working in the poultry sector (21%), including broiler and egg producers, integrators, breeders/hatcheries and turkey farms. Respondents from academic and research institutions accounted for 13%, as shown in Figure 2. Opinions were gathered from respondents representing the poultry, swine, ruminant and aquaculture industries.

Table 1. Role of respondents

Veterinarian

18.9%

Nutritionist

17.7%

Scientist/Researcher/Academic

14.1%

Sales/Marketing

9.6%

CEO/Owner/Managing Director

9.4%

Consultant

8.7%

Grower/owner

6.7%

Live production manager

5.9%

Other

5.4%

Quality Assurance/Quality Control/Procurement

3.6%

n = 758 Source: BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additives Survey, 2018

Figure 1. Survey respondents by region

Figure 2. Businesses represented by respondents

User base

Just over half the respondents (51%) indicated that they currently used PFAs as part of their poultry or livestock feeding program. 11% of the respondents had used PFAs in the past but were no longer using them, while 38% had never used PFAs (Figure 3). Respondents in Asia Pacific showed the highest rate of PFA use of any region at 65%. In South America, the majority of respondents (53%) indicated that they currently used phytogenics, followed by the North and Central America (47%). Respondents in Europe, the Middle East and Africa were least likely to use PFAs, but 43% of respondents still indicated current use. By job profile, nutritionists were supporters of PFA use, with 65% of nutritionists identifying themselves as current users, followed by veterinarians (56%) then business owners, CEOs and managing directors (55%). By business type, feed manufacturers and feed millers reported current PFA use with 70% and 63% answering yes, respectively.

Figure 3. Do you currently use phytogenic feed additives?

For context, PFAs are applied to approximately 3% to 5% of global livestock feed tonnage each year. This suggests that the respondent group was not a fully representative sample of all feed and livestock producers around the world. However, the roughly equal split of users and non-users provides a useful comparison of the motivations and views between the two groups.

Motivations for PFA use

The antimicrobial effect of PFAs was the most popular reason given for their use, cited by 50.1% of respondents (Figure 4). Digestibility enhancement was another important reason for PFA use cited by 49.6% of respondents. Respondents also used PFAs for growth promotion (46.3%), within an antibiotic-growth promoter (AGP) replacement strategy (38.9%), for their anti-inflammatory effects (38.9%) and for improving feed conversion ratio (FCR; 30.2%).

Figure 4. Top reasons that respondents gave for PFA use

Antimicrobial effect

Phytogenic ingredients are known for their antimicrobial properties, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria. Respondents in South America were most strongly convinced by the antimicrobial properties of PFAs at 53.8%, followed by Europe, the Middle East and Africa (50.6%), North and Central America (48.7%) and Asia Pacific (44.8%).

Digestibility enhancement

Specific plant compounds can improve digestibility by supporting digestive secretion of bile, mucus and saliva, as well as enhancing enzyme activity. Respondents from North and Central America and those from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said they used PFAs for the digestibility enhancement effects, with 56.4% and 56.8% of respondents in each region respectively. Those in Asia Pacific and South America selected digestibility improvement at an equal rate of 44.8%.

Growth promotion

The growth promoting effects of PFAs stem from a combination of antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and digestion-enhancing properties. The growth promoting effects of PFAs received the highest recognition from professionals in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, at 55.6%, followed by North and Central America (48.7%), Asia Pacific (44.8%) and South America (40.7%).

AGP replacement strategy

PFAs can play a role in a holistic approach to antibiotic reduction that incorporates biosecurity, vaccination, farm management and nutrition improvements. A full 62% of survey respondents indicated that they expected to decrease the use of antibiotics in farm animals over the next 12 months. Respondents in Asia Pacific cited the use of PFAs in AGP replacement more than any other region, at 51.7%, followed by Latin America (43.4%), North and Central America (32.1%) and finally Europe, the Middle East and Africa (23.5%).

Improvement in FCR

Application of a properly formulated PFA may deliver an FCR improvement of up to 5 points. Overall, an improved FCR found moderate support across all regions. An improvement in FCR was chosen as the main reason for PFA use by professionals in North and Central America (33.3%), followed by Europe, the Middle East and Africa (32.1%), South America (29%) and Asia Pacific (27.6%).

Anti-inflammatory effects

Considerable energy may be wasted because of inflammation: energy that would otherwise be used for growth and performance. Application of plant-derived substances such as PFAs that counter inflammation are therefore a viable, nonantibiotic method to promote growth in farm animals. The anti-inflammatory effects of PFAs were cited much more frequently by respondents in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (55.6%) compared to other regions. Respondents in North and Central America cited anti-inflammatory effects 38.5% of the time, followed by those in Asia Pacific (33.3%) and South America (33.1%).

Higher feed intake

Phytogenics can improve the palatability of feed and thereby improve feed intake, which is particularly desirable in young animals or when feeding less palatable or medicated feed. Improving feed intake was more highly appreciated by respondents in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (27.2%) and North and Central America (23.1%) compared to those in Asia Pacific (19.5%) and South America (15.2%).

Environmental emission reduction

As PFAs improve feed efficiency and digestibility, less feed is needed per unit of output (meat, eggs or milk), meaning that the environmental footprint of farm animals is lower. Interestingly, this factor was most appreciated by respondents in Asia Pacific (28.7%), followed by North and Central America (23.1%), South America (18.6%) and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (9.9%).

Meat quality and carcass improvements

PFA application can be beneficial in terms of meat quality characteristics that are additional to the digestibility and feed efficiency improvements.The use of PFAs to improve meat or carcass quality found the greatest favor among respondents in Asia Pacific (26.4%) and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (24.7%), followed by South America (15.2%) and North and Central America (14.1%).

Use in combination with AGPs

Respondents in South America were most likely to use PFAs in combination with antibiotic growth promoters, at 26.9%, compared to those in Asia Pacific (18.4%), North and Central America (12.8%), and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (7.4%)

Good past experience

Industry professionals in North and Central America gave greater weight to good past experience of PFA use (21.8%) compared to their counterparts in other regions, such as Europe, the Middle East and Africa (17.3%), Asia Pacific (14.9%) and South America (11%).

Nutrient sparing

The use of PFAs as a tool to support the down specification of diets was most popular in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (17.3%), followed by South America (15.9%), North and Central America (12.8%) and Asia Pacific (8%).

Commercially mixed products widely favored

Of the respondents who currently used PFAs, 86% purchased commercially mixed products available from feed additive producers, while 20% applied their own blend of oils and herbs and another 3% were unsure of the provenance of the PFA products used (Figure 5). Respondents were able to select more than one answer and the results indicate that some respondents combine commercially available PFA products with their own blends of oils and herbs.

Application methods

Extent of PFA use and production stage

Respondents were asked what percentage of their animals received PFAs at some stage in the production cycle. Responses indicated that the extent of phytogenic use is evenly spread, as shown in Figure 7. Nearly 40% of respondents indicated that the majority of their animals received PFAs, while more than one quarter of respondents applied PFAs to between 20% and 49% of their animals. Another quarter of respondents applied PFAs to less than 20% of their animals. PFA application was most common in the first seven days of broiler production, during the pullet phase of layer/breeder production, in nursery to weaning piglets, and in lactating dairy cows as well as in calves and beef cattle.

Figure 7. What percentage of your herd/flock receive PFAs?

Intention to increase PFA use

When asked about their future plans, the majority of respondents (60%) indicated that they planned to increase their PFA usage over the next 12 months. 21% expected to maintain their current level of PFA use, while 18% were unsure. Only 1% planned to decrease PFA use (Figure 8). These expectations support the strong growth in demand for PFAs for farm animals globally, and are in line with projections that the PFA market will surpass the US$1 billion threshold by 2023.

Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) are a relatively new addition to the animal feed market. Bringing such novelty to the market takes years of research and development. BIOMIN has been committed to the improvement of phytogenic products for the past thirty years, and that commitment continues every day. Research and development is ongoing to ensure the Digestarom® product line is the best it can possibly be.

What really matters is how a feed additive performs in the field. BIOMIN recently conducted the second Phytogenic Feed Additives Survey, which gathered responses from feed industry professionals around the world on PFA use and experiences. The most notable result was that 60% of respondents reported an intention to increase their use of PFAs in the coming 12 months. Not only does this reinforce the importance of PFAs in the animal feed industry, but it also shows how much more awareness there is about the range of benefits PFA inclusion can deliver.Phytogenic products are plant-based compounds with a range of biological properties that deliver a number of advantages in the animal. The top two reasons for PFA use as reported by survey respondents were their ability to enhance the digestibility of feed, and their antimicrobial effects. In addition, PFAs were also cited as an important part of a strategy to reduce the amount of antibiotics used in feed. We expect this to be of particular interest to those in certain regions of the world where antibiotic use for growth promotion will be prohibited.In this special issue of Science & Solutions magazine, as well as sharing the results of the 2018 PFA Survey, we also highlight some results from recent field trials with Digestarom® in poultry diets. The trials show a number of benefits when Digestarom® is added to the diet, including improvements in FCR, body weight gain, productivity index and laying rate. Similar success has been documented in the numerous trials with Digestarom® in swine, ruminant and aquatic farmed species.BIOMIN is committed to continually improving the Digestarom® product line to fully address customer needs. Sharing the information we have gathered in order to make that happen will keep you naturally ahead.

Finally, we would like to thank everyone who took part in the survey, and we wish our customers around the world continued success.

IN THIS ISSUE:

2018 BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additives SurveyThe views of more than seven hundred agribusiness professionals on the use of phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) reveal a number of interesting insights regarding motivations for using PFAs.

]]>PhytogenicsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureMagazinesnews-2016Thu, 21 Jun 2018 14:48:00 +0200Natural Feed Additives as Alternatives to In-Feed Antibiotics in Nursery Pigshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/natural-feed-additives-as-alternatives-to-in-feed-antibiotics-in-nursery-pigs/
Intensive pig production puts additional stress on the weaned piglet at a time of already heightened vulnerability to infections. With a global trend towards the reduction and elimination of antibiotics for growth promotion from pig diets, can natural alternatives really close the performance gap?

Commercial pig production has changed dramatically in the last decades. A transition from extensive housing systems with low animal density to intense production systems with a high degree of confinement was driven by the need to increase meat production and satisfy the demands of a growing population. The production cycle of a pig is divided into stages, each with different housing systems, management styles and challenges.

Intensive production adds stress to piglets

Within swine production, the weaner unit represents a big challenge. Under natural conditions, the sows wean their litters gradually over the first 17 weeks of lactation, yet in intensive production, the weaning process is abrupt and can start as early as 3-4 weeks. Weaning at this young age often means that the piglets are not physiologically, immunologically or behaviorally ready. And at the same time, they suffer a large variety of stressors including abrupt separation from the mother, transport, handling and social stress caused by regrouping several litters, changes in environment, change of water supply, change of feed source from a milk-based diet to solid feed with high levels of protein from plant origin, and exposure to pathogens among others. A fasting period is commonly observed immediately after weaning due to adaptation to dietary changes; this weaning anorexia might contribute to gastrointestinal inflammation.

Consequently, the weaned piglet is both vulnerable to infections and weaker to fight them. All this affects piglet health, leading to decreased performance and, in extreme cases, mortality. During the weaning process, a dysbiosis in the gut microbiota leads to post-weaning diarrhea and gastrointestinal infection where colibacillosis diarrhea is of greatest concern. Antibiotics are used in the swine industry for their growth promotion effects, prophylaxis or metaphylaxis and therapeutic purposes.

Regulation of antibiotic usage

Overuse of antibiotics is linked to an increase in antimicrobial-resistant agents which concerns animal and human health authorities. The use of antibiotics as growth promoter agents has been banned in Europe since 2006 and the ban is gradually being extended to other regions. Nevertheless, in-feed antibiotics are still used in some regions as a prophylaxis / metaphylaxis measure to prevent a drop in growth performance and health issues in weaned piglets. In the United States (USA), carbadox is commonly used in the weaner phase to control enteric disease (colibacillosis). It is usually alternated among dietary phases during the weaner period because it does not require veterinary feed directive. However, research suggests that carbadox inhibits bacteria by intercalating DNA and causing mutation in bacteria. This mutagenic property has led to its ban in Europe and Canada, and might influence the USA regulations in the near future. The combination of oxytateracycline and neomycin is used to treat bacterial enteritis and bacterial pneumonia. The use of sub-therapeutic doses of oxytateracycline and neomycin for growth promotion are banned in many countries including the USA, because the overuse has led to higher antibiotic resistance gene levels and prevalence.

Antibiotic alternatives

Therefore, it has become critical to find antibiotic alternatives to support growth performance and maintain piglet health during the weaning period. Producers are opting for the use of natural feed additives to prevent bacterial infections such as organic acids and phytogenics. However, the alternatives are evaluated directly against the effects of antibiotics on growth performance as a benchmark to overcome. The effect of antibiotics on growth performance enhancement is linked to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.

The aim of this article is to present the results of a study where weaners were fed different antimicrobial programs (Table 1): a control diet (C) containing no antibiotic or antimicrobial feed additives, a positive control (PC) with antibiotic added to promote growth, an antibiotic reduction treatment (C-OA) containing antibiotics for the first phase and a natural feed additive for the second phase, and a holistic approach (OA-EO) where only natural feed additives were added to the diet.

Study design

A total of 480, 22-day-old weaned piglets (body weight (BW) = 6.22 ± 1.4 kg) of PIC 280 X 1050 breed were used. Pigs were allocated to one of 48 pens (ten animals per pen) and assigned within weight blocks to one of four dietary treatments (12 pens per diet) as described in Table 1. The pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal based diet formulated in two phases as described in Table 2. Body weight (Figure 1) and feed intake were measured at day 8, 15 and 22. Average daily gain (Figure 2), average daily feed intake (Figure 3) and gain:feed ratio (Figure 4) were calculated. A mixed model was used to examine the effect of diet, weight block was used as the random effect, and multiple comparisons were evaluated using a t-test method.

Figure 1. Average body weight (kg)

Figure 2. Average daily gain (kg/d)

Figure 3. Average daily feed intake (kg/d)

Figure 4. Gain:feed ratio data

Results

Pigs in the PC group had a greater BW (11.19 kg, P=0.001) compared to the C group (10.53 kg), but it did not differ between the C-OA group (11.03 kg, P=0.382) or the OA-EO group (10.85 kg, P=0.074). Body weight did not differ between the OA-EO and C groups (P=0.100).

Conclusion

The results of this experiment showed that it is possible to reduce or replace in-feed antibiotics with natural alternatives and enhance performance parameters in weaned piglets. Pigs fed carbadox followed by a Biotronic® Top3 (C-OA) did not differ in performance compared to pigs fed carbadox followed by neomycin and oxytetracycline (PC). In addition, the combination of Biotronic® Top3 (a blend of formic, propionic, and acetic acids combined with cinnamaldehyde and Permeabilizing Complex™ mixture) and Digestarom® P.E.P. (a phytogenic blend of oregano, anise, and citrus oil, and fructo oligosaccharide with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties) provided a viable natural alternative to in-feed antibiotics. A more extensive approach is necessary in order to replace antibiotics in animal production. Consideration has to be taken for improvements in production management and animal welfare, feeding systems and feed quality, biosecurity and vaccination programs, improvement of facilities and a more responsible use of the resources we have available.

In Brief

Intensive pig production adds stress to piglets, especially at the time of weaning.

This stress causes a period of fasting after weaning, meaning the piglet is weaker for fighting off infections.

It is possible to reduce or replace in-feed antibiotics with natural alternatives such as acidifiers and phytogenics, which enhance performance parameters in weaned piglets.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsFeed PreservationAcidifiersPigsArticlesnews-2014Thu, 21 Jun 2018 14:27:00 +0200Life After Zinc Oxide – 3 Tips for Tackling Post-Weaning Diarrheahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/life-after-zinc-oxide-3-tips-for-tackling-post-weaning-diarrhea/
Post-weaning diarrhea is a problem for pig producers all around the world that has a big impact on future pig performance. With both antibiotics and now zinc oxide being removed from piglet diets in the EU, the pig industry is shifting its attention to new strategies to overcome this problem in young pigs.Photo: shutterstock_krumanop

During weaning, the piglet is changed from a liquid diet to dry feed. The animal also has to adapt to new housing, often with new pen mates. This period of multiple stressors results in a dramatic decrease in feed consumption, leading to a nutrient deficit known as the post-weaning gap. Nutrient deficiency compromises the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract and its morphology, allowing pathogens to grow and thrive. In pig production units around the world, closing the post-weaning gap is a constant challenge. One of the most common pathogenic strains is enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), which causes post-weaning diarrhea (PWD).

The rising popularity of zinc

Previously, PWD was commonly prevented by using in-feed antibiotics as growth promoters as well as antimicrobial agents. However, the increasing occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the importance of some antibiotics to human medicine forced the European Union to ban antibiotics used as growth promoters. The ban came into effect on 1 January 2006. Today, other countries around the world have also followed this policy.

The first academic research into the efficacy of zinc oxide (ZnO) for use against PWD was presented in 1989 at the 40th annual meeting of the European Association for Animal Production held in Dublin. Although it was the first publication, the on-farm use of pharmaceutical levels of ZnO for avoiding PWD was already being practised across Europe at that time.

By the early 1990s, the use of ZnO to control PWD was common practice worldwide. Zinc oxide probably played a role in allowing the smooth transition away from antibiotic growth promoter use. Zinc oxide is currently permitted for use in the European Union under veterinary prescription. However, due to environmental concerns, the European Union was considering a ban on the medicinal use of ZnO. Manure rich in zinc can cause accumulations in the soil, posing a risk of run-off into underground water.

EU bans ZnO by 2022

At end of 2016, the European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use found that the environmental risks of using ZnO outweighed the benefits of diarrhea prevention in piglets. The committee recommended a refusal on future authorizations for medicinal products containing zinc, and a withdrawal of approvals for existing products that contain zinc. From 21 June 2017, the EU gave all its member states up to five years to phase out ZnO at medicinal levels in piglet feeds. Any use of ZnO must be kept to 150 parts per million advised as the nutritional requirement for zinc in pigs; some publications state a lower level of 75 parts per million. Zinc is often used together with copper sulphate (CuSO4) which has a moderate constipating effect, decreasing the symptoms of diarrhea.

Treating PWD without antibiotics or zinc

Antibiotic use in animal production is more likely to be replaced with multiple substitute products or combined approaches (Allen et al., 2013). According to Pluske (2013), future alternatives to antibiotics and ZnO include acidifiers, enzymes, fermentation and inoculation of feed, and prebiotics. The best results will be achieved when producers and stockpersons are trained and fully responsible for ensuring the quality of drinking water, providing the necessary immunizations, delivering high-quality colostrum and encouraging high feed intake post-weaning, maintaining high levels of hygiene, adopting all-in-all-out production processes, and enforcing biosecurity (Figure 1).

Figure 1. 7 key factors for optimal piglet performance

Colostrum and weaning

Colostrum is the feed of life. Each piglet must ingest a minimum of 3000 ml of colostrum to successfully face the challenges of the first weeks of life and weaning. First farrowing gilts have fewer antibodies and produce less colostrum, thus piglets born from these gilts receive less protection, they are the first to surrender to challenges at weaning, and they can compromise the growth of stronger piglets. Segregation of piglets from gilts at weaning is advantageous for the whole weaning batch.

BIOMIN solutions

Feed additive solutions are available and proposed to pig producers using a variety of management practices via local BIOMIN technical sales representatives. Including a mix of mycotoxin deactivators (Mycofix® product line), Gram-negative modulators (Biotronic® product line) and phytogenics (Digestarom® product line) in the diet will help to regulate the gut microbiome and achieve high levels of animal performance.

3 tips for tackling PWD without ZnO

Reduce stress as much as possible. Weaning is a very stressful time for piglets as their environment and diet change significantly. Where possible, minimize stress by gradually introducing change to the diet, and making the environment as comfortable as possible for them.

Train staff. Make sure that staff are fully trained on how to achieve optimal piglet performance. This includes ensuring clean and plentiful water is available, ensuring colostrum intake and monitoring post-weaning feed intake, administering immunizations, and upholding high standards of hygiene and biosecurity.

Use dietary supplements. Mycotoxin deactivators, Gram-negative modulators and phytogenic products added to the diet can alleviate dietary stress and support optimal development of the gastro-intestinal tract.

In Brief

The post-weaning gap is caused by a decrease in feed intake when the diet is switched from liquid to dry feed. This usually results in PWD.

PWD was commonly treated with antibiotics or with ZnO.

Antibiotic use in feeds is decreasing, driven by consumer demand. And due to environmental concerns, the EU has banned medicinal levels of ZnO.

There is no single product available as a substitute for antibiotics and ZnO. Combining various feed additives including mycotoxin deactivators, acidifiers and phytogenics will support the gut microbiome and maintain pig performance levels.

Animal production is a dynamic environment. A continuous trade-off occurs between meeting increasing demands, environmental impacts, welfare concerns, producing a safe product, and respecting consumer preferences. The risk of antibiotic resistance, regulatory pressure and consumer demand for antibiotic-free products have spurred the reduction of antibiotic usage globally. The environmental impact of therapeutic levels of zinc in piglet feeds has dictated a search for alternatives.

There is no “silver bullet” for solving these challenges. Instead, a holistic approach focusing on different aspects of production like management, health, biosecurity and nutrition is required. However, natural feed additives can be a piece of the puzzle. BIOMIN is a pioneer of naturally ahead thinking, developing products and services in this context. In this issue of Science & Solutions, we consider the postweaning challenge in an antibiotic- and zinc-free context. We use different perspectives to build on the holistic approach. A review of the history of zinc oxide use in pig production is followed by the main factors affecting post-weaning diarrhea, concluding with useful tips in order to control it. The BIOMIN product portfolio is reviewed for alternatives to antibiotics and we share recent trial results in weaning piglets that show the potential and added value of using both Biotronic® Top3 and Digestarom® P.E.P.

Finally, an eight-step guide on sampling for mycotoxins is presented. Considering the inhomogeneous mycotoxin distribution pattern in feeds, preparing a representative sample from a feed batch is of paramount importance when implementing an efficient mycotoxin management program.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Life After Zinc Oxide – 3 Tips for Tackling Post- Weaning DiarrheaPost-weaning diarrhea is a problem for pig producers all around the world that has a big impact on future pig performance. With both antibiotics and now zinc oxide being removed from piglet diets in the EU, the pig industry is shifting its attention to new strategies to overcome this problem in young pigs.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPigsMagazinesnews-2008Tue, 12 Jun 2018 15:55:00 +020015 Factors to Consider When Evaluating and Using Alternative Ingredientshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/15-factors-to-consider-when-evaluating-and-using-alternative-ingredients/
A list of considerations for feed formulators to evaluate alternative or novel feed ingredients when the availability or price of conventional ingredients prove constraining.PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-2004Mon, 11 Jun 2018 09:41:00 +0200Strategies to Overcome Antimicrobial Resistance in Turkey Productionhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/strategies-to-overcome-antimicrobial-resistance-in-turkey-production/
Antimicrobial use in poultry leads to high resistance prevalence in poultry. Antimicrobial use in turkey production can be reduced as the national monitoring of poultry association from Austria show. Reduction of antimicrobial use is the main tool in order to reduce the resistance rates of bacteria. A combination of proper nutrition, biosecurity, hygiene, genetics, health and good farm management practices may contribute to reduction of antimicrobial use on farms.

Acid based feed additives may contribute to reduction of the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant E. coli. In the presented study with broilers, treatment with enrofloxacin increased (P ≤ 0.05) the number of E. coli resistant to ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline in the cecum. Supplementation with an acid-based feed additive (FA) contributed to better growth performance and a decrease in ampicillin- and tetracyclin-resistant E. coli in the cecum of broilers compared to control and antibiotic enrofloxacin group (AB).

Quantitative national data on antimicrobial use in turkey is barely available. However, there are possibilities to reduce the use as recent data on antimicrobial use in poultry from Austria show. The amount of consumed antimicrobials in turkey production has been almost halved since 2013.

Figure 1. Use of antimicrobials in poultry in Austria from 2013 to 2016, tonnes

Source: QGV antibiotic monitoring report 2017

OCCURRENCE OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN TURKEY

Any kind of antibiotic use in people, animals or plants can promote the development and spread of antibiotic resistance (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2011). The increase in antibiotic resistance is a global concern for human and animal health. Resistant microorganisms can move between food-producing animals and humans by direct contact, through the food chain or in the environment. Poultry is one of the world´s fastest growing sources of meat production. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in turkey vary a lot depending on the country. Figure 2 shows that 3.4% E. coli in Sweden were resistant to ciprofloxacin and in Spain this number was 86%.

Source: The European Union summary report on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2014

Figure 3. Frequency distribution of E. coli isolates completely susceptible and resistant to one to 12 antimicrobials in fattening turkeys in European countries, 2014

Source: The European Union summary report on antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2014

Also the number of multi resistant E. coli is high (Figure 3), in France, Poland, UK, Italy, Hungary, Portugal, Spain and Romania. Less than 20% of tested E. coli were susceptible to antimicrobials. In fattening turkeys, E. coli with three multi resistant patterns (including a common core pattern of resistance to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin/nalidixic acid and tetracyclines) accounted for approximately 40.0% of the total number of multiresistant E.coli isolates for which data were available (EFSA and ECDC, 2016).

REDUCTION OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

Reduction of antimicrobial use is the key point in order to achieve lower resistance rates of bacteria. An approach that combines proper nutrition, biosecurity, hygiene, genetics, health and good farm management practices is needed. Innovative feed additives can play a key role.

For example acid-based products would keep the gut environment hostile to Gram-negative bacteria. A study with broilers was evaluating the effect of an acid-based feed additive, as well as fluoroquinolone antibiotics, on the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli. To study the emergence of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli are widely accepted as indicator bacteria. A total of 480 broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to three treatments (8 replicates per group): a control group receiving a basal diet; a group receiving a feed additive (FA) based on formic acid, acetic acid and propionic acid; and an antibiotic enrofloxacin (AB) group given the same diet, but supplemented with enrofloxacin in water. A pooled fecal sample of one-day-old chicks was collected upon arrival at the experimental farm. On day 17 and day 38 of the trial, cecal samples from each of the eight replicate pens were taken, and the count of E. coli and antibiotic-resistant E.coli was determined.

The results of the study showed a high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in one-day-old chicks. Supplementation of the diet with FA and treatment of broilers with AB did not have a significant influence on the total number of E. coli in the cecal content on day 17 and day 38 of the trial. Supplementation with FA contributed to better growth performance and to a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in E. coli resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline compared to the control and AB groups, as well as to a decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli compared to the AB group at the end of the trial. Treatment with AB increased (P ≤ 0.05) the average daily weight compared to the control group and increased (P ≤ 0.05) the number of E. coli resistant to ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline.

CONCLUSION

Reduction of antimicrobial use is the main tool in order to reduce the resistance rates of bacteria. Combination of proper nutrition, biosecurity, hygiene, genetics, health and good farm management practices may contribute to reduction of antimicrobial use on farms. Acid based feed additives may contribute to reduction of the prevalence of resistant E. coli.

Join us on 26 June 2018 for a live webinar with Michael Noonan, Global Product Line Manager Phytogenics at BIOMIN, to gain an insight into the recent results of the 2018 BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additives Survey.

The role of gut health

Dr. Hilde Van Meirhaeghe, Poultry Consultant for Vetworks, Academic Adviser Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - University of Ghent, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, and President of the Belgian Hatcheries Association, was the first speaker.

She touched on several key messages, including 1) how good feed composition and feed additives can improve intestinal health, and 2) how early feeding enhances enteric development in young animals.

Poultry probiotics

Dr. Justin Tan, Regional Sales & Marketing Director of BIOMIN Asia, spoke on the role of poultry probiotics to improve intestinal health to reduce AGP use. (Watch the video What is a Poultry Probiotic).

“There are several potential strategies and combinations available to reduce the use of antibiotics,” he explained. “A combination of management-related actions, improving the quality of feed and using feed additives are all part of the solution to maintaining high performance without AGPs,” Dr. Gannon concluded. (Read The Importance of Gut Health in Antibiotic-Free Production).

Then the event continued with a question and answer session. The enthusiasm of participants was evidenced by the many questions raised related to the material presented.

]]>PoultryAquacultureNewsnews-1996Mon, 04 Jun 2018 10:57:00 +0200What is a Poultry Probiotic? http://www.biomin.net/cz/videa/what-is-a-poultry-probiotic/
Probiotics can speed up maturation of day old chicks’ developing immune systems and can be applied throughout a bird’s life in order to support gut health—a key driver of good flock health and performance. ProbioticsPoultryVideosnews-1987Mon, 04 Jun 2018 08:31:00 +0200BASF and BIOMIN to introduce new phytase to unlock vital nutrients for Vietnam’s feed industryhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/basf-and-biomin-to-introduce-new-phytase-to-unlock-vital-nutrients-for-vietnams-feed-industry/
Da Nang, Vietnam – June 4, 2018

Unprecedented enzyme stability has set new benchmark for feed phytase technology globally

BIOMIN Vietnam, as key distributor, will be responsible for the distribution of Natuphos E in the Vietnamese market

Da Nang, Vietnam – June 4, 2018 – BASF, the first company to market a phytase for feed almost 30 years ago, has once again set a new standard in phytase technology with Natuphos® E. As a new generation phytase which helps pigs, poultry and aquaculture better utilize phosphorous and other key nutrients, Natuphos E ensures more productive and sustainable output for the animal feed industry and local farmers. BASF will be launching the product in Vietnam, and BIOMIN Vietnam will be responsible for the distribution in the country.

“BIOMIN is honored and excited to bring Natuphos E to the Vietnamese market with BASF. This cooperation has been built on a strong relationship and trust that we developed over time. Innovation and quality are our focus and we look forward to building our partnership and further developing the business footprint of both BIOMIN and BASF in the region,” said Marc Guinnement, Managing Director, BIOMIN Asia Pacific.

“High quality products, good access to the market and sound technical support are the keys to success in any market,” said Stephen Crisp, Regional Sales Head, BASF Animal Nutrition Asia Pacific. “BIOMIN is a multinational company with a strong market presence and penetration in Vietnam. Through our partnership with BIOMIN, feed manufacturers and farmers will benefit from considerable cost savings through a more efficient diet. Natuphos E releases phosphorus, amino acids and energy which can be utilized by the animal. This makes Natuphos E the most efficient choice available in the market.”

The majority of phosphorous in grains and oilseeds is bound to phytic acid, an anti-nutritive factor found in feed. Phytate-bound phosphorous cannot be absorbed well by animals such as pigs and poultry, and is therefore excreted and lost as a potential nutrient. As a result, manufacturers need to supplement the feed with either inorganic phosphates or very effective phytases to make sure the animals are supplied adequately with the required amounts of the essential phosphorous.

Natuphos E also releases other valuable nutrients, making animals generally more efficient at digesting their feed. This leads to less excretion of undigested phosphate, which, as a result, helps reduce water pollution.

In addition to Natuphos E, BIOMIN Vietnam will also be responsible for the distribution of Natugrain® TS, a feed enzyme containing highly purified NSP-degrading enzymes, in the Vietnamese market.

Manufactured by BASF in Germany, Natuphos E delivers superior pelleting and premix stability in challenging environments and feed-production processes, in addition to a long-term shelf life stability. To date, the new phytase has been launched in some 10 countries in Asia Pacific and recently in the European Union market.

]]>PoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-1989Tue, 29 May 2018 16:06:00 +020012 Biosecurity Tips to Achieve Peak Efficiency and Use Antibiotics Responsiblyhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/12-biosecurity-tips-to-achieve-peak-efficiency-and-use-antibiotics-responsibly/
Mark Beghian, owner of Unitec SRL, highlights how biosecurity can play a role in antibiotics reduction while keeping production efficient within a holistic approach that favors gut health—along with 12 take-home messages. PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesVideosnews-1974Sat, 26 May 2018 09:39:00 +0200BIOMIN Vietnam Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary Serving Clientshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-vietnam-celebrates-20-year-anniversary-serving-clients/
BIOMIN Vietnam celebrates two decades of innovation, growth, and pioneering business philosophies. The two-day celebration from 25-26 May was held on the idyllic shores of Da Nang, Vietnam.26 May 2018 -- Through its innovative Biomin® Solutions, BIOMIN has helped customers in the animal nutrition industry throughout Vietnam to improve their day-to-day business operations, enhanced regulatory compliance objectives while realizing significant operating cost efficiency.

Two decades of success

BIOMIN opened its first factory in Vietnam in 1998, located in Hanoi, which underwent a full upgrade in 2017. In 2013, the firm opened its second premix facility—a state-of-the-art fully-automated production system in Binh Duong, Vietnam. The BIOMIN Aquaculture Center for Applied Nutrition (ACAN), a collaboration with the Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City, opened in 2015. The BIOMIN suite of product offerings have expanded over the last two decades in response to customers’ evolving business expectations and industry regulatory demands, offering solutions spanning from mycotoxin risk management to gut performance management.

Guiding principles

Phuong Nguyen Quang, Managing Director, BIOMIN Vietnam & Cambodia, reflected on the company’s 20th anniversary, saying, “The past two decades have been a very rewarding experience, and an incredible journey for us. We started out with a philosophy of listening to the market, delivering quality products like Mycofix®, and we are producing our Biomin® Premix locally, all while providing the best services to customers. These beliefs continue to drive us as our top priorities today, and because of that, our company remains viable, strong and growing. A big thank you to our valued customers, partners, and my team in Vietnam, who have had faith in BIOMIN right from the start.”

Commitment to quality

Marc Guinnement, Managing Director, BIOMIN Asia Pacific, agrees. He added, “We are very proud to celebrate this milestone. The fact that we are the first premix-producing company in Vietnam to be certified according to the international quality standards of GMP+ B1, reflects the robustness of our feed safety system. We are dedicated to the high quality and safety of our products, and against the backdrop of our 20th anniversary in Vietnam, we are confident of our continued ability to deliver quality products to our customers.”

Research is a cornerstone

BIOMIN stays at the forefront of scientific knowledge through significant proprietary research and development and through partnerships with more than 200 respected laboratories, academic and research institutions worldwide.

“Our commitment to scientific research and cutting-edge R&D stretches back more than three decades,” explained Erich Erber, Founder and President, ERBER AG and Founder of BIOMIN. “We have established an in-house research arm, the BIOMIN Research Center, with more than 120 scientists and researchers.

Science. Service. Speed.

“While each innovation takes years to go from discovery to field application, we have always been fervently committed to delivering the most effective, cutting-edge products to customers. It is part of our value proposition, the 3 S’s, enshrined across ERBER GROUP, of which BIOMIN is a part. Science. Service. Speed. As we look back the past two decades, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering the best products and best services to customers in order to help them stay naturally ahead—meaning profitable and sustainable for the long term.”

]]>PoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-1982Thu, 24 May 2018 08:57:00 +0200Regional Results of Global Mycotoxin Occurrence through March 2018http://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/regional-results-of-global-mycotoxin-occurrence-through-march-2018/
Results of the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey conducted from January to March 2018 indicate that deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisins (FUM) are again the most common mycotoxins found in feedstuffs.The BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey constitutes the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind, using advanced analytic tools. It details the incidence of the main mycotoxins occurring in agricultural commodities, which include: aflatoxins (Afla), zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2), fumonisins (FUM) and ochratoxin A (OTA).

The survey focuses on components that are used for feed such as corn, wheat, barley, rice, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, dried distillers grains (DDGS) and silage, among others.

From January to March 2018, 16,231 analyses were conducted on 3,857 finished feed and raw commodity samples sourced from 60 countries.

Top threats

Overall, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins were detected in 68% and 67% of all samples at average levels of 878 ppb and 1,791 ppb, respectively. Out of all samples, 53% are contaminated by ZEN, whereas Afla, T-2 and OTA are present in less than 20% of samples; 17%, 18% and 17%, respectively (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Occurrence of mycotoxins worldwide through Q1 2018. Average of all samples collected by BIOMIN.

Co-contamination

A full 90% of all samples contained at least one mycotoxin, and 68% of all samples contained two or more mycotoxins (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Co-occurrence of mycotoxins worldwide through Q1 2018. Average of all samples collected by BIOMIN.

Europe

With 6 mycotoxins above the risk threshold, Europe faces a severe contamination risk. The most prevalent mycotoxin in this region was DON, detected in 63% of the samples, followed by FUM, detected in 59% of the samples. The highest contamination found in a single sample was 40,700 ppb for ON and 26,144 ppb for FUM.

Asia

In Asia the average concentration of 6 mycotoxins is above the risk threshold, hence this region is facing a severe contamination risk. The most prevalent mycotoxin was FUM, detected in 78% of samples, followed by DON, detected in 63% of samples analyzed. The incidence of Afla was rather low with 34% of samples analyzed contaminated with this mycotoxin, and it has been decreasing compared to the previous years. The average concentration of FUM in this region represents a threat to piglets and finishing pigs (1244 ppb). The maximum FUM concentration recorded was 27,352 ppb.

North America

North America faces a severe risk of mycotoxin contamination as well. DON and FUM were the most prevalent mycotoxins in feed samples, detected in 62% and 49% of samples respectively. The average concentrations of FUM and DON in this region maybe a problem for pigs and poultry. Maximum concentrations of DON and FUM were very high in this region (9,133 and 50,734 ppb respectively).

South and Central America

These regions face a high contamination risk having 5 mycotoxins average concentrations above the risk threshold. DON is the highest prevalent mycotoxin and was found in 73% of samples, followed by FUM and ZEN, identified in 71% and 58% of samples respectively. Afla, T-2 and OTA were detected in 14%, 23% and 7% of samples respectively. South America shows the highest maximum concentration of FUM and DON worldwide (70,418 and 24,880 ppb respectively).

Middle East

With 4 mycotoxins average concentrations above the risk threshold, the Middle East faces a high contamination risk. The most prevalent mycotoxins in this region were FUM, followed by ZEN and DON, detected in 93%, 65% and 64% of samples respectively. The highest maximum concentration detected in Middle East was 4,161 ppb FUM.

Africa

With 3 mycotoxins above the risk threshold South Africa faces a moderate contamination risk. DON, FUM and ZEN were the most prevalent mycotoxins detected in 79%, 78% and 78% of samples respectively. The highest FUM concentration in a single sample was 14,427 ppb.

Conclusion

These BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey findings show that recent mycotoxin occurrence is quite high. The mycotoxin problem can be addressed through valid farm management strategies and the use of a registered mycotoxin deactivator whose efficiency is scientifically proven.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-1980Tue, 22 May 2018 10:59:00 +0200New BIOMIN website now available in Bahasahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/new-biomin-website-now-available-in-bahasa/
BIOMIN has now launched a Bahasa version of the new corporate website www.biomin.net.

In an age of increased user mobility, the new BIOMIN website presents a fresh look with ease of navigation on all technology platforms—desktop and laptop computers, and mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.

Strengthening visual appeal while preserving the content-rich structure that embodies the strong research and development core of BIOMIN, the revamped site comes with the following new features:

A new improved newsletter design that allows responsive mailings for optimized display on smartphones, particularly to meet the trend of increasing eMail use on smartphones

Large pictures and attractive visuals offer a modern look that combines both useability and appeal

A stronger species-focus to help users quickly navigate their way to the most relevant information

A new and improved search feature to support timely information search Major improvements in the Knowledge Center such as filters and a dedicated search allow users quick and easy access to articles, videos, magazine issues and more.

]]>PoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureNewsnews-1976Thu, 17 May 2018 15:45:00 +0200Why Fusarium mycotoxins pose a serious threat to poultry healthhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/why-fusarium-mycotoxins-pose-a-serious-threat-to-poultry-health/
Invisible hazards in feed: Mycotoxins, secondary toxic metabolites produced from fungi, are present in poultry feed all the time. Even when analysis results show that mycotoxin contamination is below guideline levels suggested by major agriculture countries, there can still be cause for concern. So what does it mean if mycotoxins are present in feed at low levels? Any mycotoxins present in feed are delivered straight to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of the birds, the organ most affected by mycotoxins. The GIT is the most important organ for converting feed into energy, and its ability to function properly is directly linked to poultry productivity. The GIT is the biggest immune organ in the body system. Among the major mycotoxins, DON (deoxynivalenol), ZEN (zearalenone) and FUM (fumonisins) are often overlooked when considering their impact on poultry health and productivity since their clinical symptoms are not usually obvious or visible. However, there have been a number of scientific and commercial trials that prove these Fusarium mycotoxins are closely related to some important poultry diseases.

Figure 1. Effects of mycotoxins in poultry. Source: BIOMIN

Impact of DON and FUM on the poultry gut DON is a known protein synthesis inhibitor and can interfere with the metabolism of high turn-over cells such as skin cells (epithelial cells), hepatic cells, immune cells and intestinal epithelial cells. Some of the most frequent sub-clinical symptoms of DON contamination in feed are the reduction in feed intake, wet droppings and a reduction in vaccine efficacy. On the other hand, FUM blocks the synthesis of complex sphingolipids that play a pivotal role in protecting nerves, muscles and membranes. According to the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Program 2017 report, 74% of corn samples from the United States were contaminated with DON at an average level (for positive samples) of 893 ppb. Sixty five percent of the same corn samples were contaminated with FUM at an average level of 2,563 ppb. Eighty three percent of the soy bean samples from South America were contaminated with DON at an average level of 1,258 ppb (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Average contamination levels of DON and FUM in US Corn and South American Soybean in 2017. Source: BIOMIN

Several poultry feeding trials clearly show that Fusarium mycotoxins such as DON and FUM lead to an up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the gut. Seventy percent of immune system is located in the gut, promoting a rapid mucosal inflammatory response, even when mycotoxins are present at low concentrations in feed. Tight junction proteins in the intestinal epithelium are also regulated by such cytokines. Loosened tight junctions can cause “leaky gut syndrome” resulting in pathogens and toxins entering the blood stream and moving to target organs. As a result, the permeability of intestine is increased and the frequency of intestinal disorders and disease outbreaks can consequently increase as well (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Consequences of mycotoxin contamination on gut condition.

Impaired immunity at low mycotoxin contamination levels

DON and its co-occurrence with FUM are known to modulate the immune function. One good example is the reduction in the number of antibody titres against vaccine programmes in poultry. Several research results have shown that DON and FUM reduce antibody response to Newcastle Disease (ND) and Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV). In one experiment conducted in Austria, the feeding of a DON-contaminated diet decreased serum antibody titres against the IBV vaccine (Figure 4) compared to the control diet. However, the antibody titres for IBV improved when the DON-contaminated diet group was fed with Mycofix® Select (MSE), a mycotoxin deactivator that includes the DON-biodegrading bacteria, Biomin® BBSH 797.

Mycotoxin risk management in poultry

When it comes to counteracting mycotoxins, the poultry industry tends to think of “toxin-binders” first. However, clay mineral binders are not an effective answer to all major mycotoxins. Especially not against Fusarium mycotoxins since their structures are not suitable for adsorbing by binders. Biotransformation using microbes and enzymes is the most effective strategy. It provides reliable protection for birds against Fusarium mycotoxins by biodegrading mycotoxins into non-toxic metabolites. The transformation is fast, specific and irreversible. In addition to biotransformation, a bioprotection strategy is also important. Mycofix® Select contains plant and algae extracts to provide a hepato-protective effect and to overcome the immune suppression caused by mycotoxins. A combination of different strategies can counteract the negative effects of mycotoxins in poultry more completely, especially in cases of multi-mycotoxin contamination with the poorly absorbed Fusarium mycotoxins in poultry feed.

This article originally appeared in Asian Poultry.

]]>MycotoxinsPoultryArticlesnews-1966Thu, 17 May 2018 10:12:00 +02003 in 5 Livestock Producers Expect To Use More Phytogenic Feed Additives This Yearhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/3-in-5-livestock-producers-expect-to-use-more-phytogenic-feed-additives-this-year/
Many in the livestock industry expect to increase their use of phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) in 2018. According to a recent survey of more than seven hundred agribusiness professionals, a full 60% of respondents reported that their PFA use would increase over the next 12 months. Plant-based feed additives – specifically essential oils, plant extracts, herbs and spices – are known to have a range of biologically active properties that can be applied to modern animal production. These include anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and digestion enhancing effects.

Increasing interest

“We continue to see strong demand for PFAs from all sectors of the animal protein industry,” commented Michael Noonan, Global Product Line Manager Phytogenics at BIOMIN. “As the awareness and understanding of the benefits of scientifically tailored PFAs such as Digestarom® is growing, their commercial application becomes more widespread.”

Scientific findings underscore the fact that phytogenic feed additives can reduce the microbial threat and promote intestinal health, which is imperative for optimal performance and profitability.1

Furthermore, reported results of market research in various countries suggest that consumers look favourably on the addition of phytogenic feed additives to animal feed.

These industry expectations, coupled with consumer acceptance, indicate the strong growth in demand for phytogenic feed additives for farm animals globally, in line with projections that the PFA market will reach the US$1 billion threshold by 2023.

Turning science into solutions

The upcoming BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additives Survey builds on similar work published in 2017.

“As a leading global supplier of PFAs, we are in constant contact with clients, researchers, valued distributors and our skilled sales and client support teams throughout the globe,” noted Mr. Noonan.

“Through discussions with clients, trials and scientific research, we are continually highlighting the advantages that PFAs offer to the feed and livestock industries,” explained Mr. Noonan.

BIOMIN has conducted hundreds of trials with phytogenic feed additives over the years. “Our scientific knowledge of PFAs and on-the-ground customer support throughout the world provide us the means to help our clients achieve the best outcomes,” Mr. Noonan concluded.

Upcoming publication

More than 700 nutritionists, business owners, veterinarians and consultants located in over 80 countries provided their views on the use of phytogenic feed additives in livestock in the recent BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additive survey.

The full results of the actual BIOMIN Phytogenic Feed Additives Survey will be published in June 2018.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-1972Tue, 15 May 2018 11:21:00 +0200Mycotoxin Survey in US corn: May 2018 updatehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxin-survey-in-us-corn-may-2018-update/
Mycotoxins, fungal metabolites produced by common molds capable of infecting almost all types of grains, are toxic to animals and humans. As part of the Biomin® PROcheck mycotoxin risk management program, annual surveys are conducted to assess the occurrence of mycotoxins in the new corn crop from the United States of America.Design

Occurrence

A total of 91% of samples tested positive for mycotoxins compared to 96% in 2016. Type B trichothecenes such as deoxynivalenol continue to pose a major threat to livestock this year, with an occurrence at 78%, average contamination level of 1,027 ± 122 ppb (all values are presented as an average ± SEM), and maximum of 54,149 ppb. Both occurrence and average level are decreased for B-Trich compared to 2016 (85% occurrence with an average of 1682 ± 96 ppb, maximum of 30,440). FUM for the current sample pool is less than 2016 with a prevalence of 45%, an average contamination level of 2343 ± 294 ppb, and a maximum of 64,500 ppb. This is compared to 70% and an average of 3878 ± 410 ppb in 2016. However, the current sample pool is skewed towards Midwestern corn, and those in Southern areas should be mindful of FUM contamination of the 2017 crop from corn grown in these regions.

Table 1. Summary of mycotoxin analysis

Parameters

B-Trich

FUM

ZEN

Afla

A-Trich

OTA

Positive samples (%)

78

45

32

4

<1

<1

Mean of positives [ppb]

1027

2342

247

12

114

600

SEM1 of positives [ppb]

122

294

36

334

*NA

Maximum contamination [ppb]

54,149

64,500

5,556

67

207

600

1Standard error of mean

Figure 1. Prevalence (%) and average contamination level (ppb) of positive samples for Afla, ZEN, B Trich, and FUM from 2012 to 2017. OTA and A Trich are not represented due to low number of samples

The prevalence of ZEN in the 2017 harvest was 32%, with an average of 247 ± 36 ppb, and maximum of 5556 ppb. Average sample contamination level and prevalence is lower for ZEN compared to 2016 (2016: prevalence at 56% with a mean of 339 ± 62 ppb). Prevalence and average contamination levels of B-Trich, FUM are less than 2016, and appear similar to 2015 while prevalence of ZEN is greater than 2015. Contamination levels of B-Trich and FUM remain above 2015 levels. The overall trend has been increasing prevalence of B-Trich and ZEN contamination since 2013, with a decreasing trend of FUM. Afla prevalence in the sample pool appears to have decreased since 2012, but this year due to weather during the harvest and out-door storage of bumper crop corn, producers should remain vigilant of corn quality and storage conditions throughout the calendar year.

Risk level

Figure 2. Threat of mycotoxin-related risks to livestock based upon threshold levels according to FDA and EU regulatory and guidance values. States from which samples with levels of contamination representing a high risk are illustrated in red. States with positive samples below high threshold levels are illustrated in pink, without positive samples are illustrated in dark grey, and without samples submitted are illustrated in light grey. State information was not available for all samples. The maximum level does not preclude specific, severe instances of mycotoxin contamination in farm or fields locally, nor does it account for the negative impacts of multiple mycotoxin presence. OTA and A-Trich maps are not included due to small number of positive sample

The contamination of samples with B-Trich above 900 ppb and FUM above 2000 ppb was observed in 16 and 19 states, respectively. Zearalenone levels exceeding 100 ppb were detected in samples from 21 states. The occurrence of samples above threshold levels for Afla, T-2 and OTA were sparse, and found in samples from single sources. Samples of Afla above 20 ppb were detected in South Carolina and Alabama, A-Trich at levels above 100 ppb was found in New York, and OTA above 100 ppb was found in Ohio.

Distribution

Figure 3. Distribution of contaminated samples

Detected occurrence above the risk level of 100 ppb was 62% for ZEN (73% in 2016) while it was 29% for B-Trich above 900 ppb (51% in 2016), and 28% for FUM above 2,000 ppb (42% in 2016). This 2017 harvest, B-Trich, ZEN, and FUM present the main threats in the US corn, consistent with previous years.

Co-occurrence

With more than ten-years of experience monitoring the occurrence of mycotoxins in livestock feeds, BIOMIN has shown that co-occurrence of mycotoxins (the presence of more than one mycotoxin) is the rule and not the exception. As illustrated in Figure 4, 43% of US corn samples harvested in 2017 were contaminated with just one mycotoxin while 48% showed co-contamination with more than one mycotoxin, a decrease from 2016 and similar to 2015. Of the co-contaminated samples, 18% were positive for all three fusarium toxins (B-Trich, FUM, and ZEN), while co-contamination with B-Trich and FUM, and B-Trich and ZEN were 14% and 13%, respectively.

Figure 4. Co-occurrence of mycotoxins from 2012-2017.

Summary

Overall, B-Trich such as deoxynivalenol present the highest threat in the US corn harvest samples due to its high prevalence and number of samples above the FDA recommended level.

In terms of occurrence, FUM ranks second among the six major mycotoxins analyzed in these samples.

As a result of its co-occurrence with other toxins, ZEN continues to be a concern in US corn.

While occurrence and co-occurrence levels in 2017 have decreased compared to 2016, data suggests fusarium toxins in combination remain a threat to the livestock industry.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-1964Tue, 08 May 2018 15:15:00 +0200Prevention is Better than Cure: Reducing Salmonella Challenges in Broilershttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/prevention-is-better-than-cure-reducing-salmonella-challenges-in-broilers/
Results show that Biotronic® Top3 can deliver a 50% reduction in Salmonella counts.

One of the most common foodborne infections are enteric diseases caused by Salmonella bacteria, and the most common source of infection with these specific bacteria are meat and eggs derived from poultry. In fact, Salmonella is an enduring problem in the poultry industry and the complete eradication of Salmonella spp. from production facilities is a hard task to achieve because of the many various bacterial transmission routes. (Watch the video: The Current Challenge for Salmonella Control in the Global Poultry Industry).

For this reason, the industry already started looking into tools that can be applied in order to contain Salmonella problems in poultry production. In addition to proper feed and farm management, vaccination, biosecurity and hygiene, the use of feed additives such as organic acids can play an important role in reducing Salmonella challenges in poultry production.

Efficacy of organic acids

Until very recently, the use of organic acids or single chain fatty acids (SCFA) mainly focused on their efficacy outside of the gastrointestinal tract. An increasing number of studies have been published focusing on the use of SCFA as supporters of gut health and as preventive tools to avoid an uncontrolled proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. The exact mode of action of SCFA as gut performance promoters are not yet clear. However, it has been demonstrated that organic acids have a direct antimicrobial activity against pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella, and they might contribute to gut health indirectly by improving digestibility. This ensures a proper feed digestion—meaning that less non-digested feed reaches the lower part of the intestine where it could feed opportunistic bacteria, leading to pathogen proliferation.

In order to improve the effects of the organic acids as gut health promoters, BIOMIN combines them with cinnamaldehyde and a blend of substances able to permeate the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria (Permeabilizing Complex™) in the product Biotronic® Top3. This ensures a maximized effect especially against Gram-negative pathogens. By using this product broiler feed, beneficial effects in modulating a positive microbiota could be observed both in the field and in scientific trials. Generally, the addition of Biotronic® Top3 to the diet of broilers reduces the total number of E. coli and Salmonella while creating a favorable environment for the proliferation of beneficial bacteria (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Bacterial counts (logCFU/g) of cecum microbiota in broilers at age 42. Animals were fed a control diet without the addition of any additive (grey) or the same diet supplemented with 1 kg/T of Biotronic® Top3 (green). a,b Means with different superscripts differ significantly (P<0.05)

In a trial performed in cooperation with the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (ISZLER – Italy), Biotronic® Top3 was evaluated as a tool to prevent gut colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in experimentally infected broilers. The group partitioning is listed in Table 1.

At 15 days of age all the specific pathogen free animals were eye-drop infected with 1x105 CFU Salmonella enteritidis, a field strain isolated in Italy. At 5 days post infection, 10 animals per group were sacrificed and cecum was subjected to bacteriological analysis for the recovery of Salmonella enteritidis. Results are shown in Figure 2, and clearly indicate that in both treatment groups the counts of S. enteritidis were significantly reduced on both day 5 and day 10 post infection. Converting log reduction in percentages both trial groups had between 50% and 70% lower Salmonella counts compared to the control group.

Figure 2.Salmonella Enteritidis counts (logCFU/g) in the cecal content of broilers on day 5 and 10 post infection.Animals were fed a control diet without the addition of any additive or the same diet supplemented with 1 or 2 kg/T of Biotronic® Top3. a,b Means with different superscripts differ significantly (P<0.05)

Source: BIOMIN, 2013

Prevention is better than cure

The complete eradication of Salmonella from poultry production is an incredibly difficult goal. The need for the combination of proper management, biosecurity, proper vaccination protocols and together with many other aspects can help to take the first steps in the right direction. The use of feed additives like the enhanced acidifier Biotronic® Top3 can be a helpful tool to prevent disease outbreaks by ensuring a healthy gut and deliver good performance levels. Biotronic® Top3 is effective in supporting the suppression of an uncontrolled pathogen proliferation while creating favorable conditions for the establishment of a balanced gut microbiota.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryBlog Postsnews-1961Thu, 03 May 2018 09:45:00 +0200Farm Management Using A Holistic Approach to Pig Production Without Antibiotics [Summary]http://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/farm-management-using-a-holistic-approach-to-pig-production-without-antibiotics-summary/
Veterinary practitioners use their experience and expertise to administer antibiotics only where they are necessary. Yet governments and lawmakers are deciding to reduce or restrict the use of antibiotics on farms in order to tackle rising levels of antimicrobial resistance. Farm management must adapt to a future without antibiotics.PigsArticlesVideosnews-1936Thu, 03 May 2018 08:56:00 +0200Science & Solutions No. 55 - Poultryhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/casopisy/science-solutions-no-55-poultry/
In this issue: The impact of mycotoxins in turkeys; Using beneficial bacteria to improve antibiotic-free turkey performance; Reducing E. coli challenges in turkeys despite antibiotic resistanceTurkey production – gaining momentum

EU turkey production in 2016, the most recent data available, surged with a 6.8% growth in production.

This was led by Poland and Spain but with a significant rate of growth in many of the other major turkey-producing countries. Despite this, per capita consumption remains below 4 kg.A decline in overall EU production is likely for 2017. This is due to the impact of avian influenza in the second half of the year. The AVEC (Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU) reported bird culling as a result of avian influenza in several countries, including the largest turkey producer in the EU, Germany.Markets outside the EU are growing with increases in Russia, Ukraine and the North African countries of Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. However, North America remains the major producing country whilst Brazil continues to increase production. Despite this global growth, turkey consumption remains well below that of chicken.With a demand for high-density rations, the success of turkey producers is reliant on stable protein commodity prices, which have been present for the past two years. However, with high-density diets there is always a risk of feeding both the birds and some of their less desirable gut inhabitants at the same time. Pathogenic E. coli are one of the major concerns in turkey production and can result in losses in performance as well as further economic losses in terms of the veterinary costs required for control. Therefore, maintaining a healthy gut structure and microbial balance is important in order to achieve economic productivity.In this issue of Science and Solutions, we look at some ways of reducing the incidence of colibacillosis, keeping you naturally ahead with enhanced organic acid products where the addition of a permeabilizing agent enhances antimicrobial activity, resulting in improved efficacy and turkey performance. Similarly, the use of probiotics is gaining acceptance as a way of improving overall gut health through immune stimulation and competitive exclusion of pathogens, thereby reducing the need for antibiotic intervention.With a long growing cycle, there is a high chance that the birds will be fed mycotoxin-contaminated feed. Mycotoxins have a direct effect on intestinal structure and synergistic effects when combined with some pathogenic challenges. Minimizing their effects can also aid in reducing the need for veterinary interventions.

Enjoy reading this issue of Science and Solutions, keeping you naturally informed.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Impact of Mycotoxins in TurkeysMycotoxins are present in nearly all raw materials used to make turkey feed. They have a huge impact on the production performance of the flock, but using a mycotoxin deactivation product in the diet can mitigate these negative effects.

Reducing E. coli Challenges in Turkeys by Adopting the Right StrategyThe majority of the bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract can inhabit the host without causing any harm. But there are certain strains that cause diseases, resulting in significant economic losses for producers. Managing these bacterial diseases, while also reducing the use of antibiotics in turkey production, requires a considered, strategic approach.

]]>MycotoxinsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryMagazinesnews-1939Thu, 03 May 2018 08:53:00 +0200Reducing E. coli Challenges in Turkeys Despite Enrofloxacin Resistancehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/reducing-e-coli-challenges-in-turkeys-despite-enrofloxacin-resistance/
The majority of the bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract can inhabit the host without causing any harm. But there are certain strains that cause diseases, resulting in significant economic losses for producers. Managing these bacterial diseases, while also reducing the use of antibiotics in turkey production, requires a considered, strategic approach.Photo: iStockphoto_Anna Usova

The gastrointestinal tract of birds is intensively populated by many different microorganisms. Recent analytical technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, have made it possible to characterize this microbiome thoroughly. In general, the microbiota is a very important component for the host as it can influence the development and function of the digestive and immune systems. While there are lot of studies available on the chicken microbiome, not many have been published regarding the microbiome of turkeys. The importance of species-specific studies was highlighted by Pan and Yu (2014) who showed that chickens and turkeys have only 16% similarity in their intestinal microbiome. Wilkinson et al. (2017) showed that Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla in the microbiota of turkeys across age and location. Escherichia coli belong to the Proteobacteria phylum and are common inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract of turkeys, but they can also be found in other birds and also in mammals. E. coli predominantly inhabit their host without causing any harm.

However, there are certain E. coli strains that possess specific virulent genes which are able to cause diseases in birds (avian pathogenic E. coli – APEC). Avian colibacillosis is one of the most common diseases in poultry. Colibacillosis can occur in many different clinical forms, causing considerable economic losses to producers worldwide. To counteract colibacillosis, antimicrobials need to be used. However, the misuse or incorrect application of antibiotics can contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance, which poses a threat both for animals and humans. In relation to the latest trends and pressure coming from the market, the need for alternatives to be used as preventive tools to avoid colibacillosis has become crucial.

Organic acids: an alternative solution

Organic acids or single chain fatty acids (SCFA) have been proven to be toxic for many microorganisms. This toxicity is primarily associated with the ability of the undissociated acids to freely diffuse across the membranes of bacteria. Once inside the cell, the acids will dissociate into anions and protons and the resulting anions can affect cell growth in many different ways. In order to support and facilitate the passage of the acids across the bacterial membrane, the use of SCFA can be combined with the use of permeabilizers that destabilize the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria (like E. coli and Salmonella spp.) and hence ease the passage of the acids into the cells. Such a formulation has been considered for the development of the enhanced acidifier Biotronic® Top liquid: a combination of substances able to permeate the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria (Permeabilizing Complex™) with a well-studied blend of organic acids. Such a product can be added to the water supply as a preventive tool to reduce the replication of pathogenic E. coli in birds.

Biotronic® Top liquid: prevention against E. coli replication

In a trial performed in cooperation with the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia- Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 80 one-day-old female turkeys (Big 6 Aviagen®) where fed three different diets (Table 1). Feed and water administered to the birds was tested for the absence of E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridium spp. and Salmonella spp. before it was offered. The diets were administered from day 4 onwards after the birds were preventively treated with colistin at the dose recommended by the manufacturer. On day 11 of the trial, all the birds were challenged with 1.38x108 CFU of E. coli O78 serotype, an APEC which was isolated during an incidence of colisepticemia in a turkey flock in Italy, 2014. The strain was found to be resistant to enrofloxacin. On day 4 of the trial, one animal per group was sacrificed by cervical dislocation in order to confirm the absence of the E. coli O78 as well as any other E. coli strain. All other animals were left in the pens to grow. On day 20 and 30 of the trial, ten birds from each group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and examined by bacteriological analysis and lesion score assessment.

Table 1. Experimental diets

Negative control (NC)

Standard diet

Positive control (PC)

Standard diet + enrofloxacin supplemented in the water at 0.50 mL/L (from day 11 to day 20 of the trial)

Lesion scores

Liver lesions of the sacrificed animals were scored using a slightly modified version of that described by Van Eck and Goren (1991) (Table 2). The mean lesion score was calculated for each group. There were no signs of lesions on day 20 in the Biotronic® Top liquid (BTR) group. However, results were not found to be significantly different from the negative control (NC) or positive control (PC). On day 30, the lesion score for the BTR group was significantly different (p<0.05) from both the PC and NC (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Average lesion score of the liver

E. coli count

E. coli were isolated from both the intestinal tract and the liver, and were further enumerated using appropriate buffers and agar. Biotronic® Top liquid supplemented to the water reduced E. coli counts in the intestinal tract and liver of turkeys. On day 20 and day 30, E. coli counts in the intestinal tract of turkeys in the BTR group were significantly reduced (p<0.05) compared to NC and PC as shown in Figure 2. On day 20 and day 30, no E. coli counts were found in the liver samples of the BTR group, whereas the NC and the PC groups were both found to be positive for E. coli. On day 30, the E. coli count in the liver was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the BTR group compared to NC and PC (Figure 3).

Figure 2. Average E. coli count of the intestinal content

Figure 3. Average E. coli count of the liver

Biotronic® Top liquid: a profitable solution

The treatment of colibacillosis in poultry should take into consideration the costs of treating flocks with the correct dosage for a sufficiently long period, and the rising percentage of isolated E. coli that are resistant to antibacterial drugs. The diagnosis of colibacillosis is mainly based on the clinical features and the typical macroscopic lesions. But in order to confirm infection, E. coli need to be isolated and identified. Further, bacterial resistances need to be excluded. All these steps take time, leading to losses in production when the analysis needs to be outsourced. They can also lead to wrong decisions being made when it comes to selecting the right therapy to be adopted. In this case, treatment with a commonly used antibiotic (enrofloxacin) would not have been effective, as highlighted by the results, because the bacteria used for the challenge was resistant to this specific drug. This is why it is important to work on a prevention strategy against colibacillosis rather than relying on therapy alone.

Conclusion

A holistic approach that includes proper management, proper vaccination measures and the right nutritional design are needed in order to prevent the spread of E. coli and hence colibacillosis in turkeys but also in poultry. The use of feed additives like the enhanced acidifier Biotronic® Top liquid can support the replication reduction of pathogenic bacteria in the animal, and the product can play a crucial role in reducing environmental E. coli contamination.

In Brief

The gastrointestinal tract of turkeys contains a complex microbiome of bacteria, most causing no harm to the host

Some bacterial strains cause diseases leading to economic losses

The downward trend in antibiotic use has driven the rise of alternative disease management strategies

Biotronic® Top liquid can reduce the E. coli count in turkeys when used as part of a holistic approach to turkey production

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryArticlesnews-1958Thu, 26 Apr 2018 09:53:00 +0200Farm Management Using A Holistic Approach to Pig Production Without Antibioticshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/farm-management-using-a-holistic-approach-to-pig-production-without-antibiotics/
Veterinary practitioners use their experience and expertise to administer antibiotics only where they are necessary. Yet governments and lawmakers are deciding to reduce or restrict the use of antibiotics on farms in order to tackle rising levels of antimicrobial resistance. Farm management must adapt to a future without antibiotics.PigsArticlesVideosnews-1954Wed, 25 Apr 2018 11:30:00 +0200What is a Phytogenic Feed Additive? http://www.biomin.net/cz/videa/what-is-a-phytogenic-feed-additive/
Phytogenic feed additives, known as PFAs or botanicals, are substances of plant origin added to animal diets at recommended levels with the aim of improving animal performance. Essential oils, herbs and spices all serve as sources for bioactive ingredients, e.g. phenols and flavonoids.PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureVideosnews-1953Tue, 24 Apr 2018 15:27:00 +0200How endotoxins aggravate heat stress in broilershttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/how-endotoxins-aggravate-heat-stress-in-broilers/
Heat stress can increase gut permeability, opening the door for lipopolysaccharides to exacerbate immune response and impair performance. Higher ambient temperatures in poultry housing have an influence on birds’ behavior, physiology and immune system, making them more susceptible to endotoxins with negative consequences on welfare and performance. Heat stress costs the U.S. poultry industry alone it thought to cost approximately US$128-165 million each year.

Heat stress impairs gut barrier function

In a healthy bird, tight junction proteins seal the spaces between intestinal epithelial cells, ensuring an intact gut barrier that helps to prevent pathogens or toxins from entering the blood stream (Figure 1a). However, during heat stress, tight junction proteins can be disrupted (Figure 1b) which allows pathogens or toxins to enter the circulatory system.

Heat stress increases a bird’s gut permeability by two-fold, work conducted at the BIOMIN Research Center confirms.

Twenty-eight day old birds were either kept at thermoneutral conditions (23°C) or at heat stress conditions (36°C) for 10 hours. A marker molecule (FITC-Dextran) was administered orally and later measured in the blood to assess gut permeability. The gut permeability of the heat stressed animals doubled compared to that of birds in thermoneutral conditions.

Endotoxins harm broilers and laying hens

Endotoxins, also known as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), are part of the outer membrane of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria (e.g. E. coli, Salmonella). LPS are released from bacterial cell walls by shedding or through bacterial lysis. There are many natural sources of endotoxins including air, dust, food, water, and feces, but the major source is the gastrointestinal tract.

Poultry are exposed to LPS throughout their lives. In healthy birds, the intestinal and other epitheliums such as skin or lungs, represent an effective barrier that prevents the passage of LPS into the bloodstream. Once there, however, endotoxins can elicit strong immune responses, weakening birds’ immune systems and impairing performance. Severely pronounced immune response can lead to septic shock.

LPS raise intestinal immune response during heat stress

A study was conducted at the BIOMIN Research Center to assess the influence of endotoxins on inflammation response of the intestine in heat-stressed birds.

The combination of heat stress and LPS led to an increase of the expression of various genes related to heat stress and inflammation (Table 1). The expression of heat shock protein (HSP70) was increased up to 90-fold when the oral dose of LPS was applied. In addition, the cytokines interleukin 1beta and interleukin 6 –all indicative of inflammatory processes— showed a more prominent effect when both stressors were present.

Need for endotoxin control

The presence of endotoxins can cause birds to waste energy on activation of the immune system, leaving less energy available for growth and performance. This underscores the importance of proper endotoxin risk management. Table 2 highlights several ways to reduce the impact of heat stress and endotoxin contamination. When combined with good farm practice and the reduction of other stressors such as heat stress or mycotoxin contamination, the threat of endotoxins on bird performance can be eliminated.

Endotoxins

Corrective action

Adapt diet to birds' needs according to production status (e.g. switch to corn-based diet instead of rye-wheat-barley diet

]]>MycotoxinsPoultryArticlesnews-1948Thu, 19 Apr 2018 10:21:00 +0200Continuous higher threat for DON and FUM in Asia: 2017 BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Results for Asiahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/continuous-higher-threat-for-don-and-fum-in-asia-2017-biomin-mycotoxin-survey-results-for-asia/
BIOMIN has conducted the Mycotoxin Survey Program annually since 2004. The accumulated number of samples is already over 75,000, which makes the program the largest worldwide data pool for mycotoxin analyses. In 2017, the analysed number of samples hit a record high (Table 1).Table 1. BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey statistics

2015

2016

2017

Number of analyses

31,000

63,630

73,692

Number of samples

8,271

16,511

18,757

Overall, 2017 was another high-risk year for mycotoxins in Asia, similar to 2016. The infographic (Figure 1) and graph (Figure 2) show where the major mycotoxins were found throughout Asia in 2017. The most severely contaminated sub region was East Asia, including China, Korea and Japan. In East Asia, deoxynivalenol (DON) was the most prevalent mycotoxin, followed by fumonisin (FUM) and zearalenone (ZEN). All are produced by Fusarium species of fungi, normally abundant in cooler climates but prevalent in East Asia because of trading. Over 90% of the raw feed materials used in Korea and Japan are imported. The 2017 figures look different in South East Asia where Aflatoxin (Afla) as well as FUM were both a problem. ZEN and DON were found in 52% and 50% of the samples respectively. The trend shows that a large percentage of integrators and feed mills are using imported raw materials so the contamination levels of Fusarium mycotoxins are reflecting trends from North and South America. Taking a closer look at the results from South Asia, Afla is still the biggest threat if we also consider the percentage contamination above the risk threshold. The prevalence of FUM and Ochratoxin A (OTA) in South Asia was the highest of all the Asian sub regions.

Figure 1. Mycotoxin contamination throughout Asia

Figure 2. Prevalence of mycotoxins detected in all samples from Asia (risk threshold determined for the most sensitive species)

The majority of samples analyzed contained at least one mycotoxin type above the risk level (Figure 3), which would have an effect on most animals. The main mycotoxins are identified by each region, and more detail of each mycotoxin type is given in Table 2. This is based on the following risk thresholds for the six main mycotoxin types analyzed; Afla at 2 ppb, ZEN at 50 ppb, type B trichothecenes (e.g. DON) at 150 ppb, type A trichothecenes (e.g. T-2 toxin) at 50 ppb, FUM at 500 ppb and OTA at 10 ppb.

Figure 3. Co-contamination of mycotoxins in all samples – samples tested for at least three mycotoxins

In addition, the 2017 North American Corn harvest had a high FUM risk (FUM was detected in 65% of samples with an average level of 2563 ppb) as well as a significant DON risk (DON was detected in 74% of samples with an average level of 893 ppb). Soybeans are usually considered cleaner than corn, but wet weather conditions leading up to the 2017 harvest in South America resulted in a higher than normal risk level (83% of samples were found to be contaminated with DON at an average level of 1258ppb).

In conclusion, the 2017 BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Program for Asia found three main trends:

East Asia was the most contaminated sub region in Asia, where up to 90% of the raw materials for feed included corn from North America and soybeans from Latin America.

South East Asia is becoming more contaminated with DON and ZEN, reflecting the fact that bigger feed mills use more imported raw materials.

In South Asia, Afla is still the biggest threat. However, the prevalence of FUM and OTA was the highest in the whole Asian region.

This article originally appeared in Livestock & Feed Business.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-1947Wed, 18 Apr 2018 11:38:00 +0200BIOMIN India provided guidance to choose the right career pathhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/biomin-india-provided-guidance-to-choose-the-right-career-path/
In an effort to help the veterinary students choose the right career path, BIOMIN India provided guidance to the students of Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal in Tamil Nadu on April 9, 2018. Rajan Seralathan, Sales Director, South India & Sri Lanka, BIOMIN India gave a presentation on ‘Career Opportunities in Feed Additives Sector’ explaining about the growth of feed additives and specialty feed additives sector, and the career opportunities available for the veterinary graduates.

The Career Orientation Program for students, jointly organized by the institute and CLFMA of India was attended by both undergraduate and postgraduate veterinary students as well as research scholars.

By actively participating in such career guidance programs, BIOMIN educates the students about the importance of specialty feed additives in ensuring healthy and safe animal nutrition, while motivating the future veterinarians to pursue a career in the feed additive sector.

]]>Newsnews-1940Wed, 18 Apr 2018 07:51:00 +0200BIOMIN displays strong aquaculture expertise at APA 2018 http://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/biomin-displays-strong-aquaculture-expertise-at-apa-2018/
BIOMIN will participate in the upcoming Asia Pacific Aquaculture (APA) 2018, held from 24 to 26 April, at the Taipei International Convention Centre in Taipei, reinforcing its commitment to the aquaculture industry.Visit BIOMIN at booths 35/36/43/44 and learn how we harness the power of science to support the aquaculture industry!

Find out about the latest results of the BIOMIN World Mycotoxin Survey, and the leading mycotoxin risk management product Mycofix®. Also, discover our innovative solutions AquaStar®, a multi-strain probiotic product specifically designed for aquatic species, Biotronic® Top3, an enhanced acidifier, and Digestarom®, a specifically formulated phytogenic product.

BIOMIN experts from Europe and Asia warmly welcomes you to the BIOMIN booth for engaging discussions over a cup of freshly brewed coffee by our baristas.

The poultry industry has gone through some tremendous changes recently, including genetic improvements, preventive disease control, increased biosecurity measures and the introduction of modern intensive production methods. The changes have been implemented due to increased demand for animal protein. From 1990 to 2005, the consumption of poultry meat increased by 35 million tons in developing countries (Narrod et al., 2007). In some countries where the production of red meat is not suitable, turkey meat has been a well-accepted replacement. However, its production, as with any other livestock sector, comes with complex challenges such as the need to enhance growth performance, nutrient absorption and to reduce enteric bacterial diseases.

Doing more with less antibiotics

Enhanced growth and feed efficiency are relevant topics for any turkey grower. In many places, reliance on nonmedically important poultry antibiotics has been essential to keep up with rising demand for safe and affordable animal protein. However, increasing pressure from consumers, food retailers and regulators has spurred the reduction of antibiotic usage in farm animals. Furthermore, the development of resistant pathogenic bacterial strains to certain antibiotics may jeopardize the effectiveness of antibiotics when treatment is needed. Already, an increase in susceptibility to some infections through immunosuppression or through the alteration of the gut microbiota has been observed (National Research Council, 1980).

A boost from beneficial bacteria

To counteract the undesired effects of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) and to reduce the use of antibiotics overall, novel feed additives and preventive drugs have been developed, such as phytogenics, organic acids, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics (combined probiotic plus prebiotic), and vaccines, that offer alternatives to promote animal performance and prevent health issues.PoultryStar® is a well-defined, multi-species synbiotic product that promotes a beneficial gut microflora through the combined action of carefully selected species-specific probiotic microorganisms and prebiotic fructooligosaccharides derived from inulin. It was designed to improve gut health and make chicks more resistant to pathogenic infections, while also achieving enhanced performance.

Antibiotic-free turkey trial in the US

In a scientific experiment in the United States with 540 poults (Koch's turkey hybrid) conducted over 98 days, the synbiotic PoultryStar® sol from BIOMIN was used in drinking water at a dose of 20g/1000 birds/day in combination with the commercial antibiotic-free (ABF) diet. The additive was applied in days 1-3, 7, 13-15, 21, 28, 35, 41-43, 49, 56, 63, 69-71, 77, 84 and 91 (first three days, every three days, around feed change and once a week). The control flock was administered only the commercial ABF diet, devised to support the marketing of “naturally fed” turkeys whose organic diets were free from animal protein products and antibiotics.

Trial results

The results of the trial show that PoultryStar® sol improved turkey performance. Final live weight was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the PoultryStar® group compared with the negative control (Figure 1). At 98 days of age, the supplemented birds achieved 9.120kg compared to 8.604kg in non-supplemented birds, a significant difference of 516g. Feed intake was 8% greater in the supplemented group, which may partly explain the achieved weight at the end of the trial (Figure 2). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was not statistically different between the two groups.

Figure 1. Body weight per hen

Figure 2. Compilation of overall feed intake and FCR

Related findings in chicken

These findings have also been confirmed in multiple scientific, commercial and field trials in broilers. A recent study found that the synbiotic PoultryStar® was able to improve intestinal histomorphology (Palamidi et al., 2016), which in turn improves digestibility due to an improved digestive function. Probiotics may induce enhancements in intestinal architecture forming an increased surface area, which may contribute to a greater absorption of nutrients (Awad et al., 2009). However, this must be confirmed specifically for turkeys with further studies.

Conclusion

Scientific studies and trials have highlighted the benefits of using natural growth promoters, such as a synbiotic that includes a mix of probiotic strains and a prebiotic. This makes them an interesting tool in antibiotic-free feeding programs or in conventional operations as feed supplements to improve gut health and achieve better overall flock performance.

In Brief

Pressure from consumers is fueling the reduction of antibiotic use in turkey production

Without antibiotics, a performance gap opens up

Supplementing the diet with feed additives can help to close the performance gap

Feed intake and final body weight increased when PoultryStar® was added to the diet

Note: At time of writing, PoultryStar® has EU authorization for use in feed or water for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying and minor avian species to the point of lay. PoultryStar® is under evaluation for EU authorization for use in turkeys.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryArticlesnews-1937Tue, 17 Apr 2018 10:52:00 +0200Impact of Mycotoxins in Turkeyshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/impact-of-mycotoxins-in-turkeys/
Mycotoxins are present in nearly all raw materials used to make turkey feed. They have a huge impact on the production performance of the flock, but using a mycotoxin deactivation product in the diet can mitigate these negative effects.Photo: iStockphoto_Alphotographic

Turkey and poultry species in general are sensitive to a broad array of mycotoxins. Aflatoxins, type A trichothecenes (T-2 and HT-2 toxin), type B trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), or diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS)), fumonisins (FUM) and ochratoxins are among the groups that can impair production the most. Aflatoxins are potent liver carcinogens; they can influence animal production by triggering severe immunosuppression, cancer of the liver and spleen, feed refusal and carry-over into tissues and eggs. Contamination of feed with subclinical doses of aflatoxins can negatively influence intestinal histology and reduce the adsorption of crude proteins from the feed. Trichothecenes are protein synthesis inhibitors; hence, they are highly toxic to cells. Type A trichothecenes such as T-2 and HT-2 produce visible lesions on the beak and in the gut, leading to feed refusal. The most detrimental effects of trichothecenes are observed in the gastrointestinal tract, where they can compromise the integrity of the gut by disrupting the tight junctions – thus favoring the passage of pathogens and other toxic entities into the bloodstream. Trichothecenes such as DON have repercussions on villi histology as well: villi atrophy, decreased villi height and crypt depth have been observed in birds fed subclinical doses (below EU regulation guidelines) of DON. The effects of DON are enhanced by the presence of FUM. These mycotoxins act synergistically, rendering the immunosuppressive and cytotoxic effects of DON and other trichothecenes more severe. Moreover, DON and FUM are predisposing factors for the development of necrotic enteritis and coccidiosis.

When it comes to mycotoxin exposure, it is important to bear in mind the synergistic effects. Synergism is when the toxicity of one mycotoxin is greatly increased by the presence of others. The most relevant synergistic interactions in poultry are reported in Figure 1. The toxicity of mycotoxins depends on the dosage and the exposure time. Consequences to production can be detrimental whether the animals are exposed to subclinical doses over a prolonged time, or short-term high-level exposure.

Figure 1. Synergistic effects of mycotoxins in poultry

As reported by the BIOMIN mycotoxin survey, animals are always exposed to cocktails of mycotoxins – the 2017 survey data reported an average of 31 metabolites per sample (Figure 2). As mycotoxins can greatly differ in their physiochemical proprieties, an efficacious mycotoxin deactivation product needs to work in several different ways to counteract them all. Adsorption can only help against a small number of mycotoxins (mostly aflatoxins, ergots and ochratoxins).

One of the major challenges for mycotoxin deactivation is to prove the effectiveness in vivo. According to the official EU registration protocol, this has to be accomplished with biomarkers, as they are the proof of mycotoxin deactivation at a molecular level. In fact, to register a product in the EU, in vitro results are not enough. Mycofix® is the only EU registered multi-strategy product available on the market and its state-of-the-art mode of action, based on adsorption and biotransformation, has been tested in turkeys against aflatoxins, trichothecenes and fumonisins in three different trials.

Mycofix® is able to counteract high concentrations of aflatoxin

The efficacy of Mycofix® to counteract aflatoxins (Afla) was tested on 210 one-day-old turkey poults exposed to relatively high amounts of Afla for 42 days. Different parameters were measured during the experiment including performance parameters (individual weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR)), organ health measurements (relative organ weights, liver enzymes (AST and LDH), and strength of the immune response. The results showed that Mycofix® counteracted the adverse effects on turkey performance and on selected toxicopathological parameters, and completely overcame the negative effects of mycotoxins, including mortality, which has important economic implications for the poultry producer. The results are shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 3. Body weight at day 21 and at the end of the experiment

Figure 4. LDH (a) and AST (b) levels at day 35

FUMzyme®, the breakthrough in FUM deactivation

The ability of FUMzyme® to detoxify FUM in the gastrointestinal tract of turkeys was assessed in a field trial.

Fifteen hybrid turkeys at ten weeks of age were fed 15 ppm of FUM (specifically FB1 was used in the trial). FUMzyme® converts FB1 into the hydrolyzed non-toxic metabolite HFB1. A way to assess the activity of the enzyme is to measure the gradual disappearance of FB1 and appearance of HFB1. To do so, fecal samples were collected after 14 days. As shown in Figure 5a (green bar), FUMzyme® significantly lowered the FB1 content in the feces compared to the FB1 contaminated group without additive (red bar). The metabolite HFB1 was significantly elevated in the FUM + FUMzyme® treatment (Figure 5b, green bar), showing effective biotransformation of FB1 to HFB1.

Figure 5a. FB1 in turkey feces day 14 (μg/g)

Figure 5b. HFB1 in turkey feces day 14 (μg/g)

Another biomarker assay that is commonly used to assess FUM deactivation is the sphinganine (Sa): sphingosine (So) ratio. The mode of action of FUM is the inhibition of the enzyme ceramide synthase that coverts free Sa and So (molecules that are precursors of sphingolipids) into complex sphingolipids, important structural components of cell membranes. Once the enzyme is inhibited, the free Sa and So molecules start accumulating in the cell with Sa being the predominant metabolite. This accumulation is measurable; specifically the ratio between free Sa and So. The higher the ratio, the more severe the FUM intoxication. In one trial, the Sa:So ratio (Figure 6) in serum at day 14 was significantly elevated in the FUM contaminated group compared to the control group without FUM and FUMzyme®. The addition of FUMzyme® significantly lowered the ratio, indicating FUM inactivation in vivo.

Figure 6. Sa:So ratio

Trichothecenes detoxification by BIOMIN BBSH 797

BIOMIN BBSH 797 catalyzes the cleavage of the epoxy group of trichothecenes by producing a specific enzyme called de-epoxidase during its metabolic activity in the gastrointestinal tract, which results in metabolites of no toxicological concern. The main metabolite of DON, the most prominent and prevalent mycotoxin among the group of trichothecenes, is DOM-1 (de-epoxy-deoxynivalenol). As reported in the literature (Wan et al., 2014), DON-3-sulfate is the major metabolite of DON in poultry. The resulting de-epoxy metabolite of BIOMIN BBSH 797 activity is DOM-3-sulfate. DON, DOM-1, DON-3- sulfate and DOM-3-sulfate were used as biomarkers in the feces. In this trial, 15 female ten-week-old turkeys (Hybrid Converter) were randomly allocated to three experimental groups using three double pens with five birds per double pen of the poultry trial facility. Birds were kept for six days in floor pens on wood shavings with free access to feed and water. After the first six days of accustomization, the trial period started for two consecutive days. The diets were artificially contaminated with 1.5 ppm DON, and BIOMIN BBSH 797 was administered via the feed as well. Fecal samples were taken five times per day from each pen. A pooled fecal sample per day and pen was analyzed for toxin residues and metabolites at the Christian Doppler laboratory at IFA-Tulln, Austria. The recorded parameters were the concentration of DON, DOM-1, DON-3-sulfate and DOM- 3-sulfate in feces (μg/day). DON was only present in small amounts below the limit of quantification and only in the group receiving the toxin without the additive (results not shown). BIOMIN BBSH 797 significantly lowered the load of DON-3- sulfate (Figure 7a; green bar) and significantly raised the amount of DOM-3-sulfate detected (Figure 7b; green bar). It was clearly demonstrated that the de-epoxidation reaction only took place in the BIOMIN BBSH 797-treated group.

Figure 7a. DON-3-sulfate in turkey feces (μg/g)

Figure 7b. DOM-3-sulfate in turkey feces (μg/g)

To conclude, the enzymes contained in Mycofix® are an effective, state-of-the-art strategy for the deactivation of nonadsorbable mycotoxins. The fact that biomarker studies have been carried out on turkeys as well is a warranty that the product works efficiently in different animal classes. Purchasing registered products with a proven mode of action in vivo is a way to ensure robust production and to make sure that capital is properly invested in a product designed to get the job done!

In Brief

Mycotoxin contamination in feed can cause a myriad of performance and health problems

Most raw materials are naturally contaminated with more than one mycotoxin

To mitigate negative effects, a mycotoxin deactivation product with several modes of action should be included in the diet

]]>MycotoxinsPoultryArticlesnews-1932Fri, 13 Apr 2018 10:50:00 +0200Taking Mycotoxin Control to the Next Level: 5 Takeaways from the 10th World Mycotoxin Forumhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/taking-mycotoxin-control-to-the-next-level-5-takeaways-from-the-10th-world-mycotoxin-forum/
The 10th edition of the World Mycotoxin Forum (WMF) was another great event that brought the industrial and scientific communities together. Over the course of the three-day event held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, research and commercial knowledge sharing about all aspects of mycotoxins and their management. The theme of the event was ‘Taking mycotoxin control to the next level’. As well as a plenary presentation from BIOMIN Research Director Dr. Gerd Schatzmayr, other members of the BIOMIN team were at the event. Here we share the main 5 takeaway messages with you.

Livestock producers need real-time weather data from satellites and weather stations. Predicting weather patterns will inform farmers and livestock producers when to harvest their feed crops for optimal yields while minimizing the risk of mycotoxin contamination.

2. Detoxifying agents

Due to the increasing global trade of raw materials, there is a need for tight cooperation between the biggest markets such as EU, China and US. Animal feed ingredients are sourced from an increasingly large geographical area, so knowledge and control of mycotoxins needs to be on a global scale. With the emergence of new mycotoxins, there is an urgent need for further development of mycotoxin detoxifying agents.

Harmonized safety assessments need to be implemented across the globe so that products can be used in a range of situations. For example, detoxification agents can be used to treat the mycotoxins found in raw materials used to make animal feeds, bioethanol and other applications. Metagenomics will play an essential role in the development of new and better performing products.

3. ‘-omics’ approach

More research is required to better understand the interactions between organisms (fungi vs plants). Questions such as ‘which metabolites are involved in resistance?’ and ‘can we use genes to produce resistant crops?’ need answering. Technology is available to produce in silico models and to retrieve information from big data. Increased knowledge will allow the development of more solutions to overcome mycotoxin challenges.

4. Management strategies

Integrated solutions should aim to counteract mycotoxin contamination along the whole food chain, starting with the development of practical and affordable tools for end users. Resistant crops are fundamental for mycotoxin mitigation. Legal guidelines need to be introduced for new cultivars. Novel food processing techniques such as microsonication need to be implemented on full scale as well.

5. Detection and control

Livestock producers need to have accurate information about the mycotoxin contamination levels in their raw materials and finished feeds. Without rigorous and reliable mycotoxin assessment tools, mycotoxin management is difficult. Although analytical chemistry has progressed significantly, many challenges still remain. New emerging mycotoxins are being discovered and need to be assessed (read about The Effects of Emerging Mycotoxins in Livestock). Sampling plans need to be improved and harmonized between different markets. Multi-mycotoxin analytical methods need proficiency tests for quality assurance. The need for new, improved, cost-efficient and reliable analysis solutions remains.

Today’s market place is highly competitive, making it extremely important for aquaculture producers to stay naturally ahead. One way of doing this is to ensure that your fish and shrimp are as homeostatically fit as possible.

Maintaining homeostatic fitness includes controlling the many variables of aquaculture production. Measuring and managing environmental factors or the biological, chemical and physical factors related to water quality has become standard practice. New technologies promise to take this fitness to the next level. Thanks to advances in nutritional awareness and knowledge, and increased accessibility to raw materials from all around the world, diet formulations can now be more precise than ever before. At the same time, advances in technology have made a wide and exciting range of products available to producers. Such products can help overcome disease challenges, boost performance levels and ensure sustainability, all while being profitable. In this issue of Science & Solutions magazine, we revisit probiotic use. The rigorous processes involved in aquafeed manufacture previously restricted probiotic use, but post-pelleting technology now makes more widespread application possible. Benedict Standen explains why probiotics constitute such a valuable addition to the diet. Rui Gonçalves shares some results of the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey with you. He looks specifically at samples from Southeast Asia to dispel the myth that only aflatoxins are present in aquafeeds. Global trade of commodities has increased the range of mycotoxins found in this region, highlighting why it is so important to regularly check your feed for mycotoxin contamination. Today’s mycotoxin detection tools are quite reliable. However, some errors can and do occur—the majority of the total error in mycotoxin testing stems from improper sampling. If you are not sure how to take a good sample for mycotoxin analysis, read our guide on page 11.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Probiotics to Boost Immune Fitness and Gut HealthDespite growing trends in probiotic use, their application in aquafeeds has been constrained by the aggressive processes used during feed manufacture, which kill or maim heat-sensitive bacteria. Advances in post-pellet application and other technologies have overcome this constraint, enabling probiotics to deliver their benefits to the global aquaculture industry.

Fusarium Mycotoxins Continue to Threaten Southeast Asian AquacultureSamples of plant-based meals and finished feeds from Southeast Asia were analyzed for the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey. The results help explain why mycotoxin deactivation strategies are so important for optimizing aquaculture performance levels. When was the last time you checked your feed for mycotoxin contamination?

]]>MycotoxinsProbioticsAquacultureMagazinesnews-1928Mon, 09 Apr 2018 15:24:00 +02008 steps for taking the perfect sample for mycotoxin analysishttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/8-steps-for-taking-the-perfect-sample-for-mycotoxin-analysis/
Mycotoxins are naturally inhomogenous in their distribution. There will be hot-spots of mycotoxins in an otherwise ‘clean’ batch. To get a true analysis result, sampling is really important. Follow these steps to get your sampling right.download full infographic now

Assess the size of your batch and work out how many sub samples you need to take.For example, 1 ton of raw material = 1 kg of aggregate sample (10 x 100 g samples). The exact amount of sample depends on lot type and size according to EC Regulation No 401/2006.

Check the sampling method according to the material being sampled.Your BIOMIN representative can provide you with the best practices for each material, making sure you collect and store your sample correctly.

Use the right equipment for the job.There are lots of tools out there so do your research and make sure you have the right tool for the job.

Take incremental samples and mix them together thoroughly to form an aggregate sample.Make sure incremental samples are thoroughly mixed together so that all components are homogeneously distributed.

Take the samples you will send off for analysis from your aggregate sample.The laboratory carrying out the analysis will tell you how much sample they need. The general recommendation is at least 1 kg. Make sure you send them at least this amount, if not more. And consider storing some material for future reference too.

Make sure the bag or container is well sealed, and labelled with all the necessary information.Your BIOMIN representative can provide sampling bags or advise on other sample containers that avoid altering the quality of the sampled material.

Post your sample off to the laboratory the same day.Try not to send samples late in the week as they might be stuck in the post office over the weekend. Instead, store samples in a fridge or freezer and post them the following week.

Enjoy the benefits of receiving accurate and reliable mycotoxin analysis results.But your sampling journey doesn’t end there. Take regular samples to stay well informed about the mycotoxins in your raw materials or finished feeds

76% of total analysis uncertainty is due to sampling error.

]]>MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-1926Wed, 04 Apr 2018 14:18:00 +0200The Mycotoxin Risk in Forages and Silageshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/the-mycotoxin-risk-in-forages-and-silages/
Ruminants are unique animals. With the complex rumen system, these animals are able to derive energy and protein from forages that most livestock cannot even digest properly. Forages have the advantage of being inexpensive relative to other feed types but we need to be aware of the mycotoxins that they can contain.Not just in grains

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi and they have a large impact on the animal industry in health costs and reduced performance. People often associate mycotoxins with grains. Indeed in a forage material that includes some grain e.g. corn silage, then the mycotoxins that are in the grain will generally remain in the silage. But mycotoxins can be produced in other parts of the plant. These include some of the Fusarium fungi mycotoxins that are common in grain e.g. deoxynivalenol (DON, a concern for gut health and disease susceptibility), zearalenone (ZEN, a concern for reproduction) and fumonisins (FUM, a further concern for gut health). There can also be less well known Fusarium mycotoxins such as culmorin compounds and moniliformin. There is evidences that some of these other compounds exacerbate the effect of DON on animals.

Forages can also contain mycotoxins from other fungi growing in or on plants. Tenuazonic acid (TeA) produced by fungi like Alternaria and Phoma is often present. A common Phoma disease on forage sorghum means that this particularly has a frequency high TeA contamination. Not much is known about the effect of TeA on ruminants but it is a protein synthesis inhibitor and is known to have effects on the digestive tract wall in poultry.

Figure 1.Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most common mycotoxin-producing silage molds. It can commonly produce gliotoxin and can infect the lungs or digestive system of immunocompromised animals. It may contribute to hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS).

Grasses

Within the shoots of some grasses, there can grow specific endophytic fungi such as Neotyphodium species on fescue grasses and these can produce toxic ergot alkaloids that can cause tremors and vasoconstriction contributing to heat stress, lameness, mastitis and reproductive issues. In some grass or cereal crops that include seed there is also the risk of ergot fungi Claviceps species that also contain the toxic alkaloids.

Alfalfa

Alfalfa is another common forage crop and this can also be contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone and quite commonly can include some aflatoxin as well which is the highest profile mycotoxin issue for dairy cows due to the milk carryover of aflatoxin B1. Pay attention to the storage of forages such as alfalfa and other hays or straw to reduce the risk of Aspergillus flavus and relatives that produce aflatoxins.

Silage

Silage introduces a further dimension of mycotoxin risk since some additional fungi can grow in the silage material. It’s important to avoid feeding out noticeably moldy areas of silage since many of the molds (such as Mucor hiemalis or Aspergillus fumigatus) can cause disease within animals or humans and many of them (including A. fumigatus) can produce mycotoxins. A. fumigatus is one of the most common silage molds and can produce gliotoxin, an immunosuppressant, and toxic clavine compounds related to the ergot alkaloids. Other common silage molds include Penicillium roquefortii (that can produce roquefortine C, patulin and mycophenolic acid), and Monascus ruber (that can produce citrinin).

The significance of these individual silage mold mycotoxins in ruminants does require more research but there is enough evidence that moldy silage is generally detrimental to cattle. In addition to avoiding feeding out moldy silage, it is important to reduce the risk of silage molds by starting with the right moisture content of forage (not too dry), compacting the silage adequately and covering it air tight as soon as possible. An effective silage inoculant is also important for improving the stability of silage both during ensiling and in the feeding out phase.

Effects in animals

Many of the additional mycotoxins present in forages have a toxic effect on protein synthesis. This means that like many of the common mycotoxins, their effects are often seen on the fast growing cells in the body that require rapid protein synthesis, thus the gut wall, liver and immune cells. In some cases, the main method of management will be to deal effectively with DON and related compounds since the effect of DON on the gut wall can be to increase uptake of other mycotoxins and because some of the emerging mycotoxins increase the effect of DON. DON is not able to be effective bound in the animal so management cannot be achieved with simple binder technology.

Mycotoxin solutions

Mycotoxin management for ruminants needs to address a wide range of mycotoxins that are present in the grain and forage from the field as well as mycotoxins produced in storage or ensiling. Mycofix® addresses these concerns with a multiple strategy of adsorption (effective on aflatoxins, ergot alkaloids and some of the silage mold mycotoxins), biotransformation (the unique proven ability to deal with some of the most common mycotoxins) and bioprotection to safeguard the vulnerable cells of the gut wall, liver and immune system.

]]>MycotoxinsRuminantsBlog Postsnews-1925Wed, 04 Apr 2018 13:46:00 +02007 Levers of Poultry Gut Health for Antibiotic Reduction Successhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/7-levers-of-poultry-gut-health-for-antibiotic-reduction-success/
Poultry producers all aim to deliver their product, be it meat or eggs, in a way that is acceptable to consumers while being economically sustainable. The use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production systems has met increasing resistance from consumers and has thus prompted antibiotic-free production systems. Simply removing antibiotics from a production system will lead to problems with bird health, mortality and product quality because of contamination or infections in the flock. However, there are several alternative management practices that can be used to prevent and eliminate such risks. Figure 1 below illustrates some potential sources of contamination on poultry farms. Improving biosecurity can dramatically reduce and even eliminate these sources.

Figure 1. Potential sources of contamination on poultry farms

Another consideration before starting an antibiotic free system is the quality of the day-old chicks used at the beginning of the production cycle. If the quality of the chick arriving on to the farm is compromised, antibiotics will be required to ensure the chicks survive.

Many antibiotic treatments have been, and still are being used to maintain intestinal health thereby ensuring efficient productivity. This can be achieved through low-level antibiotic inclusion for growth promotion, or in therapeutic doses to control disease. Either way, maintaining a healthy gut is the desired outcome. Most threats to gut health stem from outside the body. These are illustrated in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2. Threats to poultry gut health

BIOSECURITY

Improvements in biosecurity at breeder farms and in the hatchery, result in very low bacteria numbers in the intestinal tract of chicks. And on farm, increasingly high standards of hygiene prevent the chicks being exposed to commensal bacteria. Therefore, the development of a healthy gut microflora in these chicks is more difficult and takes longer, jeopardizing production efficiencies. Probiotic supplements (PoultryStar®) administered at hatching and in the first days of life can overcome this shortfall in immune development.

WATER HYGIENE

A chicken will drink approximately two to three times the amount of water compared to the amount of food it eats, which reinforces the importance of this often forgotten nutrient. In developing countries, some poultry production farms rely on water from a well or bore hole to supply the houses. Contaminated water can be a major vector for the introduction of pathogenic bacteria into the house. The risks of coliform contamination in water from untreated sources is understood and management techniques should be employed to minimize such risk. Thorough cleaning of water lines and the addition of liquid acidifiers such as Biotronic® to maintain a low pH are two such techniques.

FEED HYGIENE

Some feed ingredients have a higher risk of carrying contamination than others, particularly in the case of salmonella. However, poor handling and storage practices could result in any ingredient becoming contaminated. Heat treatment through conditioning or pelleting can be used to positive effect on feed hygiene, however the results of these processes are not residual and the feed can become re-contaminated if poor handling and storage practices continue. Application of an acid mix product (e.g. Biotronic® Top3, or Top liquid) to the feed can overcome the risk of contamination to a reasonable degree, provided that sufficient product is used to meet the challenge. Applying the minimum amount of product will not prevent contamination if the risk is high.

FEED FORMULATION

Anti-nutritional agents can either be naturally present in the raw materials (e.g. non-starch polysaccharides in wheat) or through the incomplete heat treatments (e.g. trypsin inhibitors in soy bean meal). Such anti-nutritional agents can be avoided through close quality control of raw materials, and by using specific enzymes to neutralise them. Watch this video on how proper nutrition can reduce gut stress, and consequently allow for the reduction of antibiotic use, featuring Ellen van Eerden, researcher at Schothorst Feed Research.

DIGESTIBILITY

Reduced digestibility of feed results in undigested nutrients passing to the hindgut where they can be utilised by pathogenic bacteria to develop, causing problems including clostridium perfringens and even necrotic enteritis. To help enhance the digestibility of feed, phytogenic products (e.g. Digestrom®) can be added. A recent survey carried out by BIOMIN revealed that the main reasons for including phytogenic products are improved feed efficiency and better microbial modulation. These two factors work synergistically as though the endogenous enzyme secretions of the small intestine were increased. More digestion by the animal means fewer nutrients available to the bacteria in the hind gut, resulting in a natural modulation of the bacterial populations.

MYCOTOXINS

Mycotoxins are present in all raw materials at differing levels depending on a variety of environmental and management factors. The most commonly occurring mycotoxins are fumonisins, of which trichothocenes and zearalenone are the most common. The BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey regularly identified deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin B1 (FUM) as the most common mycotoxins contaminating feedstuffs and raw materials in thousands of tests carried out globally. DON and FUM are known to have detrimental effects on gut integrity through various mechanisms. (Read How Mycotoxins Aggravate Coccidiosis in Poultry). Therefore, regular monitoring of the mycotoxin levels in raw materials and finished feeds is advisable. The inclusion of a suitable mycotoxin deactivator (Mycofix®) at the correct inclusion levels will help to manage any potential contamination.

COCCIDIOSIS

In some countries, ionophore coccidiostats are not permitted in diets if the producer wants to achieve antibiotic-free status. In such cases, vaccination with anti-coccidial vaccines is practiced. Research has shown that where vaccines are used, synbiotic products (PoultryStar®) can enhance the anti-coccidial effects of the vaccines.

Recap

As seen, there are several levers of gut health that need to be considered, monitored and managed by the poultry producer. But there are also several feed additives that can be used to overcome these challenges. The feed additives offered by BIOMIN all complement each other and work together to facilitate antibiotic-free production.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryBlog Postsnews-1921Wed, 04 Apr 2018 08:05:00 +0200BIOMIN to Hold Antibiotic-free Production Roadshow Seminar Series in Indonesiahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/biomin-to-hold-antibiotic-free-production-roadshow-seminar-series-in-indonesia/
After successfully conducting its roadshow seminar series in Indonesia the previous years, BIOMIN is set to hold the 2018 edition with the theme “Improving Gut Performance in AGP-Free Animal Production” across three cities: Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan. Longtime BIOMIN partner PT Romindo Primavetcom will cohost the seminars, which will run from 10 to 12 April 2018. Speakers include Dr. Hilde Van Meirhaeghem, Academic adviser Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – University of Ghent, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology and Poultry Consultant for Vetworks, and BIOMIN experts Dr. Justin Tan and Dr. Neil Gannon.Indonesia’s middle class is forecasted to expand robustly, and the country’s poultry sector continues to demonstrate strong growth. This trend has been driving consumer demand for a safe, affordable and sustainable supply of protein. Producers are faced with the pressure of going antibiotic-free in animal production from January 2018, in a move announced by the Indonesian government.

Gut health is key in antibiotic-free poultry production, and it has been demonstrated that it is possible to reduce or eliminate antibiotic use without affecting bird performance and health. Therefore, the theme of this year’s roadshow seminar series is Improving Gut Performance in Antibiotic-free Animal Production. The seminar will provide delegates and insight into managing the AGP-free era and practical information on achieving the best results in animal production.

Details of the BIOMIN roadshow seminar series:

Seminar Session 1

Antimicrobial resistance in the poultry world and the role of gut health in performanceDr. Hilde Van Meirhaeghe, Academic adviser Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – University of Ghent, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology and Poultry Consultant for Vetworks

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryNewsnews-1959Mon, 26 Mar 2018 13:41:00 +0200Think Colostrum, Not Antibiotics, to Combat Diarrhea in Calveshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/think-colostrum-not-antibiotics-to-combat-diarrhea-in-calves/
Diarrhea is the most common problem for newborn calves. Compared to antibiotics, proper colostrum management may offer a better route to calf health and profits.Photo: kadirkaplan

An estimated 56% of health problems in early life relate to diarrhea, making it a number one health issue for newborn calves. It accounts for 52.2% of mortality of unweaned calves, and is also a major cause of poor growth, increased labor requirements and increased costs. In the United States, 23.9% of dairy heifers are affected by and treated for scours and preweaning mortality is estimated at 7.8% according to Cornell University and the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS, 2007), respectively.

As antibiotics are not effective against viruses and parasites, their application to counter diarrhea makes little sense. Antibiotic use in these cases has several disadvantages. First, calves who have undergone antibiotic therapy produce 492kg (1084lbs) less milk during first lactation, according to Mike van Amburgh of Cornell University and confirmed by others. Second, antibiotics destroy the normal, beneficial intestinal bacteria and thereby disrupting intestinal health. Third, destruction of Gram-negative bacteria releases endotoxins, the lipopolysaccharide components of cell walls.

According to James Cullor of UC Davis, the general effect of endotoxins are well chronicled and are reported to include lethargy, respiratory distress, transitory hyperthermia followed by hypothermia, decreased systemic blood pressure, increased heart rate followed by decreased cardiac output, diarrhea, changes in blood cell counts, and alterations in the blood coagulation system. Fourth, antibiotic use is associated with antibiotic resistance.

A better way

Bovine colostrum offers a kind of survival kit from the mother to the newborn calf to protect against challenges at the beginning of life. It benefits the calf ’s immune, hormonal and digestive systems, and contains everything required for healthy, productive development along with an enormously high nutrient content.

With colostrum intake shortly after birth, in one shot the calf gets all the 97 immune factors (constituents that build the immune system), 87 growth factors (bio-identical hormones and hormone precursors) and a variety of different probiotics along with prebiotics that help grow and feed the beneficial flora in the gut. This passive immunity transfer protects the calf until it establishes its own pathogen recognition and disposal systems.

The best composition of hormones and growth factors such as relaxin, prolactin, insulin, IGF-1, IGF-2, and leptin are only available via colostrum. The beneficial contents of colostrum milking can persist through the fifth milking—or three days after parturition (Figure 2).

Because colostrum transfers antibodies to a calf, cow breeders can essentially design colostrum for the coming calves by vaccinating cows 60-30 days before calving against the most frequent pathogens appearing on the farm. In that way, the newborn calf gets selective protection against existing pathogens in the farm environment.

Colostrum from vaccinated cows has demonstrated ability to kill bacterial and viral invaders, stimulate tissue repair (particularly the bowel lining), fight a variety of allergens and neutralize toxin-producing organisms. It has also proven effective in treating severe diarrhea. According to the 2007 National Animal Health Monitoring System survey, approximately 19% of dairy heifer calves in the US had failure of passive transfer.

Beat the clock

Speed is crucial when it comes to harvesting and feeding colostrum to newborn calves, for several reasons. First, the composition of colostrum changes following removal of placenta.

Second, newborns lack the enzymes that breakdown colostrum’s active components— these are developed later.

Third, it is important to seize the opportunity afforded by the ‘open gut’ phenomenon, in which the upper part duodenum remains open for direct absorption of colostrum ingredients into the calf blood stream. (Note that pathogens can also enter the open gut).

Additional considerations

Proper feeding of the cows in late lactation and dry period, can positively influence colostrum quality and quantity. Mycotoxins—found in both grains and contaminated straw—can impair immune and liver function, so robust mycotoxin risk management is advisable.

Agents that cause diarrhea are present in a calf’s environment. Improvements in environmental sanitation and the reduction of stressors (e.g. overcrowding, frequent diet change, heat stress, etc.) coupled with proper colostrum management can help support healthy calves.

Conclusion

Every calf that is born on a farm represents an opportunity to maintain or increase herd size, to improve the herd genetically, and to improve economic returns. Pathogen invasion can create additional costs, health issues and poor performance. Good quality colostrum can allow cow breeders to achieve a successful outcome.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsFeed PreservationAcidifiersRuminantsArticlesnews-1915Thu, 22 Mar 2018 10:36:00 +0100ERBER Group is one of the best workplaces in Austriahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/aktuality/erber-group-is-one-of-the-best-workplaces-in-austria/
Getzersdorf - For the first time ERBER Group in Austria with its subsidiaries BIOMIN, ROMER LABS and BIO-FERM took part in the competition for the title "Austria's Best Workplaces" and immediately made it into the ranking: 4th place in category L (more than 250 employees).In addition to the good working atmosphere, the health promotion measures, the trust of the management in the workforce and their freedom to act, the integration of new employees and the comprehensive training offer were mentioned particularly positively. "Of course, we are especially pleased that ERBER Group managed to win an award in the competition for 'Austria's Best Workplaces' right from the start. The well-being of our employees is always at the center of our actions, which has been more than confirmed by our colleagues. "Heinz Flatnitzer, Director of the Executive Board, Human Resources Management & Corporate Communications. Because working for the ERBER Group means leaving foodprints to make the world a better place - in line with our corporate culture as: Pioneers, Partners, and Performers.

As part of the benchmark competition, Great Place to Work awarded a total of 44 out of 87 participating companies in four size categories with the title “Austria’s Best Workplaces”. The categories depend on the number of employees in Austria: Small (20-49), Medium (50-250), Large (251-500), X-Large (over 500). The evaluation of the enterprises takes place by means of an employee survey and a company audit.

]]>Newsnews-1910Mon, 19 Mar 2018 14:53:00 +0100What Is a Mycotoxin and How Can It Harm My Animals?http://www.biomin.net/cz/videa/what-is-a-mycotoxin-and-how-can-it-harm-my-animals/
Invisible to the naked eye and responsible for considerable economic losses, mycotoxins merit attention and proper mitigation in order to protect your animals and your operation’s profitability.MycotoxinsPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureVideosnews-1955Mon, 19 Mar 2018 09:27:00 +0100ERBER Group Closer to Customers in Move to New Kansas City Officehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/erber-group-closer-to-customers-in-move-to-new-kansas-city-office/
ERBER Group, the holding company for five divisions including BIOMIN America and Romer Labs®, has established its new ERBER Group hub in Kansas City. The move brings BIOMIN and Romer Labs closer to each other and their respective customers, offering further support with an expanded team of industry experts.BIOMIN America Inc., a leading research company and producer of feed additives, has sustained continued growth in the North American market which has afforded it the opportunity to relocate the regional headquarters to Kansas City from San Antonio.

Strong trajectory

Over the past two years, alongside robust recruitment, BIOMIN has made significant investments into the marketplace by introducing dynamic products and services. BIOMIN primarily services animal production customers within the poultry, swine, and ruminant industries.

“We’ve experienced a considerable amount of positive feedback and adoption of the new tailored services and products we have introduced to our key accounts,” explains Dr. Raj Murugesan, Technical Director for BIOMIN America. In addition, he notes “utilizing science-based nutrition for animal production has gained importance in light of the industry’s reduction of antibiotic usage. Greater awareness of the threats posed by mycotoxins has also increased interest in our company’s research and strategies.”

The company’s growth is set to continue based on expansion of the already established and successful species customer-focused structure. Christy Swoboda, Laboratory Director for Romer Labs, shares “being close to our customers is of utmost importance to everyone here and we are excited about the new office establishment.”

Kansas City location

The city’s far-reaching agricultural roots and research, as well as its central location within the customer region, helped make it the top choice for the move. The KC region is home to more than 300 animal health companies, representing the largest concentration of animal health and diagnostics in the world. Simon Walley, President of BIOMIN North America, adds “the move will help us provide ever more expert technical and commercial support to our customers across the US and Canada.”

“The abundance of qualified workforce coupled with ease of travel for global employees, made Kansas City the right choice for our new North American presence,” Walley stated.

“This market is a key part of the future growth plan for ERBER Group. By investing in the new office, we are demonstrating our long-term commitment to the region and to our customers,” concluded Michael Prinster, Managing Director of Romer Labs.

The ERBER Group worked in close partnership with the Kansas Department of Commerce and Overland Park Chamber Economic Development Council on this relocation project.

Team members will host an open house on Wednesday, March 21st in celebration of this milestone.

]]>PoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-1909Fri, 16 Mar 2018 11:10:00 +0100ENERGY: The Key Factor For Efficient Milk Productionhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/energy-the-key-factor-for-efficient-milk-production/
Despite worldwide milk prices remaining at low levels over the last few years, demand for dairy products has held steady, especially in many South Asian countries. Now that prices are returning to higher levels, producers have an opportunity to achieve better profits by increasing the level of production. Good rumen health, quality feedstuffs and appropriate management practices can all help ensure that cows have the energy they need to support increased milk production.

ENERGY IS THE KEY

The secret of efficient milk production relies on satisfying cow requirements. Cow comfort, proper management and adequate nutrition will pay back producers with robust fertility, consistent milk output and minimal incidence of health problems. Each of these depends directly or indirectly on the cow’s energy status.

A positive energy balance relies on feedstuffs of the appropriate quantity and quality, along with the type of environment and good management of critical phases like dry and transition periods. Energy demands can in fact rise based on climate, walking distances inside the farm, adequate space at the feed bunk and animal density.

However, it is undoubted, that feed quality and its utilisation by dairy cows play main role in cow energy balance.

Ruminants are special

From the cow’s perspective, the energy issue is not primarily related to milk production but rather to her survival.

Cows naturally produce milk to feed their calves. However, in the case of an energy gap, they will discontinue reproduction first and then milk production in the attempt to improve the likelihood of their own survival.

This explains why fertility and milk production fall when a cow’s energy demands are not satisfied. Nowadays, this situation is becoming more and more dramatic, as genetic selection in favour of increasingly productive animals results in animals which can produce more milk, but with higher management and nutrition requirements—particularly in terms of energy and protein.

It is safe to assume that cows are often in negative energy balance –expending more energy than is consumed— especially during the first part of lactation. While it is relatively easy to fulfil protein requirements by optimising the amino acids profile at the intestinal level, satisfying the energy requirement of a cow is a real challenge.

Cows, being ruminants, are very special animals. Their diet composition needs to contain a minimum amount of fibre to ensure proper health and to avoid diseases such as acidosis. Unfortunately, fibre does not provide them the same amount of energy as other feedstuffs e.g. grains, sugars or fats.

Ruminants rely on the rumen, a special part of their gastrointestinal tract, for around 70% of their energy. More precisely, energy is produced through the fermentation of feedstuffs by rumen microflora, a complex ecosystem made of bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Working in synergy to ensure their growth, rumen bacteria produce large quantities of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), as by-products of their metabolic activities, and these VFAs are the main source of energy for the cow.

To ensure a healthy population of microorganisms, we need to provide grains which are the main energy source for bacteria and fibre to stimulate rumen motility, rumination and saliva production—activities that are necessary to keep animals healthy.

Feedstuff quality

How is it possible to improve rumen function and fulfil a cow’s energy demands?

First, we need to enhance fibre digestion. Fibre occupies a certain amount of space in the rumen, but is less fermentable and has a lower energy production capacity than grains.

One suggestion is to use forages with high fibre digestibility and to feed them especially to transition and first lactation animals, as they have a higher energy demand. In addition, good quality fermented silage and mould-free forages will favour intake and sustain rumen fermentations.

Considering grains and by-products, we need to be generous with them in order to cover the space remaining in the rumen after having satisfied the fibre requirements. A cow producing 32 kg of milk with a feed intake of 22 kg of dry matter should be fed at least 6 kg of starch and 1.2 kg of sugar depending on the quality of forages. This corresponds roughly to 20 kg of corn silage and 7 kg of ground corn plus 0.7 kg of molasses.

Quality feedstuffs should not have anti-nutritional factors, e.g. mycotoxins, that can make energy production less efficient. Mycotoxins reduce feed quality.

During the 2016 BIOMIN World Nutrition Forum, experts reported that mycotoxin contamination can reduce the quality and nutritive value of feedstuffs.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi and mould that widely contaminate grains, forages and silages. They exert a negative effect on a cow’s health, fertility, rumen microorganisms and rumen function.

In recent research conducted in South Asia, Kiyothong et al. (2012) showed that feeding dairy cows a total mixed ration (TMR) naturally contaminated with multiple mycotoxins can reduce the rumen bacterial population, as well as protozoa and fungi. This translated into a reduction in volatile fatty acids, leaving less energy available for the cows. The application of a mycotoxin deactivating feed additive was able to resolve the situation and increase milk production and fat percentage.

Conclusions on rumen health

The rumen is the main organ of energy production in cattle and the quantity of outputs depends on feedstuffs’ quality, rumen health and microbial balance.

A healthy rumen will be able to squeeze more energy from both forages and grains, giving more values to feedstuffs (silages and hays) prepared by farmers and to concentrates offered by feed millers.

For this reason, there is the need to optimise rumen function to keep rumen microbiota healthy. Key actions are to avoid drops in rumen pH, to favour beneficial bacteria growth and to avoid any poisoning substance such as mycotoxins.

]]>MycotoxinsRuminantsBlog Postsnews-1898Tue, 13 Mar 2018 09:30:00 +0100Vaccination Strategies in the Context of Antibiotic Reductionhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/vaccination-strategies-in-the-context-of-antibiotic-reduction/
Prof. Paolo Martelli, DVM, Diplomate ECPHM, President of the ECPHM, Full Professor of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Parma University, Italy, outlines how to achieve swine herd immunity based on recent scientific findings. Adapted from remarks given at BIOMIN Antibiotic-free Days in November 2017.PigsArticlesVideosnews-1895Tue, 13 Mar 2018 08:55:00 +0100Quality Feedstuff for Healthy Livestock and Quality Foodhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/press/quality-feedstuff-for-healthy-livestock-and-quality-food/
Interview with Dr. Erich ERBER, Founder and President, ERBER AG of which BIOMIN is a part, Dr. Jan VANBRABANT, Chairman of Executive Board and CEO, ERBER AG, Dr. Hannes BINDER, Managing Director, BIOMIN Holding GmbH, Mr. Marc GUINNEMENT, Managing Director, BIOMIN Asia-Pacific, and Mr. Jack AN, Managing Director, BIOMIN ChinaAustrian firm BIOMIN was established in 1983 and started its business researching and producing the world's first-generation mycotoxin adsorbent. Since its establishment, BIOMIN has been active in the global feedstuff industry and dedicated itself to developing and producing feedstuff additives and premix compounds. Amid delivering technical services to clients, its mission is to improve livestock health, growth and quality in a natural and efficient manner. For over 30 years, BIOMIN has pioneered innovative solutions for mycotoxin risk management. By applying state-of-the-art technologies and carrying out extensive research and development to develop sustainable solutions, it delivers natural, sustainable and profitable solutions to the swine, poultry, ruminant and aquaculture sectors.

From 30-31 October 2017, BIOMIN hosted the grand opening ceremony of its latest plant and the Asia Nutrition Forum in Wuxi, China. Over 500 distinguished guests attended the opening ceremony, visited the Wuxi plant and participated in the Asia Nutrition Forum. The theme of the biennial forum this year was "driving the Asian protein economy". At the forum, founder of BIOMIN Dr. Erich Erber delivered the welcome address to the top global experts in attendance. The session provided an in-depth discussion of the challenges in food processing, the animal health and nutrition industry, and touched on the development trend of poultry, swine and dairy cow production. Dr. Erber also gave an overview of the influence of antibiotic-free livestock production on future opportunities of the Asian protein economy.

"BIOMIN was established in Austria in 1983, and now we have 50 own business units, 11 production facilities and 5 regional business units across the world. We currently employ over 1,500 excellent staff, with an extensive research network comprising of over 200 international colleges, universities and research firms. We are proud to serve clients in over 120 countries. At BIOMIN, we are dedicated to developing and producing feed additives and premix compounds while providing technical services to our clients to improve livestock health and performance in a natural, efficient manner. We strive to deliver natural, sustainable and profitable solutions to the swine, poultry, ruminant and aquaculture industries. For over 30 years, BIOMIN has been devoted to the research of mycotoxins, aiming at providing a series of target-oriented and innovative solutions for mycotoxin degradation and deactivation," said Dr. Binder.

Dr. Erich ERBER, Founder and President, ERBER AG of which BIOMIN is a part

"At BIOMIN and ERBER Group we are guided by the "3Ss". The first S is Science. Science is the core value we deliver to our clients as well as the critical part of our expertise. BIOMIN lives and breathes science. In 1992, Erber Group acquired Romer Labs. Although the lab possessed limited technological capability at that time, we developed the lab continuously over the years and now, Romer Labs has become a leading global supplier of diagnostic solutions for food and feed safety.

The second S is Service. Science acts as a base, but needs be refined and perfected by service to maximize its utility for clients. Since 2004, BIOMIN has been conducting the annual BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey, the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind. For this survey, BIOMIN cooperates with Romer Labs, and we also offer a complimentary testing of feed samples for over 380 types of mycotoxins to our clients. As part of the survey program, BIOMIN periodically releases quarterly global mycotoxin reports that provide insights into the incidence of the six major mycotoxins in the agricultural commodities used for livestock feed in order to identify the potential risk posed to livestock animal production in various regions across different species.

Finally, the last S is Speed. We value speed highly in multiple service and innovation aspects. First, we give clients a fast feedback and a timely solution to meet their requests. We have established an extensive and robust sales network across the world, through which we quickly deliver cutting-edge technologies and products to clients. Second, we drive innovation in a continuous and rapid way so that state-of-the-art technologies and quality products can be rolled out to the markets quickly.

Since the development of the first generation mycotoxin adsorbent, BIOMIN has successfully released five generations of mycotoxin adsorbent, degradation and deactivation solutions under the Mycofix® product line. Mycofix® is the world's first and only mycotoxin deactivation product with a purified enzyme that has achieved EU authorization. Mycofix® is widely applied to feed, and its efficacy has been verified in scientific trials and on numerous farms across the world. We have also developed another innovative product, a multi-strain synbiotic consisting of both pre- and probiotics that is poultry-specific. This is a testament to the never-ending innovation of BIOMIN," said Dr. Erber.

"BIOMIN is committed to overcoming the increasing challenges of food and feed production, especially in regards to the safety aspect. A rising middle class in many countries has led to a stronger-than-ever demand for safe, healthy and nutritious food. Consequently, producers also turn their attention towards this growing demand. In the face of rising consumer concerns about antibiotics, producers are feeling the pressure to reduce the use of antibiotics as well.

BIOMIN solutions are tailored to provide producers tools to enhance their feed and livestock productions naturally, and can play a key role in a program with the aim of reducing or eliminating the use of antibiotics. BIOMIN is also committed to social responsibility. We actively promote food safety and sustainable development, and we utilize renewable energy sources throughout the organization. We are proud to have achieved ISO 14040 life cycle assessment by the US Environmental Protection Agency," added Dr. Vanbrabant.

"At BIOMIN, we strive to meet the highest standards in many aspects of hygiene, product safety, raw material traceability, manufacturing process and end product development. We stress the importance of a long-term relationship and stable cooperation with reliable suppliers to ensure the superior quality of our products. Next to this, we conduct strict quality control of all raw materials and products, which is critical to our production," he continued.

"BIOMIN stands on the leading position in the industry, with a great corporate culture, while delivering cutting-edge technologies and products, and operates with a passionate team. Although BIOMIN has its roots in Austria, we have since gained recognition locally in China as a leading provider of mycotoxin risk management and gut performance solutions for over a decade. The opening of our Wuxi plant signifies a major milestone of BIOMIN China, and we will further enhance its service capacity and enrich product lines. We want to be the window and bridge connecting the East and the West, by introducing global experiences, technologies and the business concept of livestock husbandry to China, and help our clients scale to newer heights. Over the past few years, we have achieved accelerated growth. The annual business volume has increased at a double-digit rate. From now on, we expect to keep the growth at a rate over 25%," said Mr. An.

"China, which tops rankings in terms of scale in many aspects, impresses me greatly: globally, China's feedstuff production ranks first, its total population and middle class population also rank first. We have high expectations for our business of serving clients in the Chinese market, and we will set a long-term development objective in consideration of the change of the agricultural environment next. We are very pleased with the results of Mycofix®, our mycotoxin risk management solution, which enjoys a high level of acceptance and trust from our clients in the swine sector in China.

In the poultry sector, we have expanded into relationships with large-scale integrators, and we have also successfully developed our business in the dairy cow sector as well. Not forgetting aquaculture, for which we have a strategy in place. Beyond satisfying the market demands, we are committed to enriching our product lines with a reliable and robust production capacity," said Mr. Guinnement.

BIOMIN taps into the power of science to improve livestock health and industry efficiency and delivers natural, sustainable and profitable solutions with cutting-edge patented technologies to swine, poultry, ruminant and aquaculture industries. With forward-looking thinking, BIOMIN will focus on efficient and sustainable utilization of resources, safety of food and feedstuff, environmental impact and contribute towards meeting the livestock protein product demands from the increasing global population in future.

The Link between Endotoxins and MycotoxinsThe two main toxin risks for dairy production and cow health are mycotoxins from fungi and endotoxins from bacteria. Both types of toxin can exacerbate the health risk to the animal of the other toxin. We explore the links between these very different toxins and how best to manage both risks.

]]>RuminantsArticlesnews-1892Fri, 09 Mar 2018 10:11:00 +0100The Link between Endotoxins and Mycotoxinshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/the-link-between-endotoxins-and-mycotoxins/
The two main toxin risks for dairy production and cow health are mycotoxins from fungi and endotoxins from bacteria. Both types of toxin can exacerbate the health risk to the animal of the other toxin. We explore the links between these very different toxins and how best to manage both risks.

Toxins from within

One of the problems with endotoxins is that they can be produced in the rumen. Not all types of bacteria produce endotoxins, only Gram-negative bacteria. The term Gram-negative is based on reaction to a Gram stain under the microscope. Gram-negative bacteria do not retain the stain, mainly because the structure of their cell wall includes lipopolysaccharides (LPS or endotoxins) on the outer membrane. When Gram-negative bacteria die, the endotoxins are released. During fast growth of Gram negative bacteria, there can also be significant “shedding” of endotoxins.

Endotoxins are always present in the rumen to some extent, but at higher levels, they can compromise the integrity of the gut wall and impact animal health. Endotoxin production is one potential consequence of acidosis because as higher levels of grains are fed, there is a general shift from Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacteria. Figure 1 shows how the level of endotoxins increases significantly if the rumen remains at a pH below 6 for a prolonged period of time. Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) challenge is often described as the rumen pH being below 5.8 for more than five hours per day, thus SARA also represents an endotoxin risk.

Endotoxins may affect the tight junctions or cause apoptosis of epithelial cells, increasing the uptake of undesirable substances into the blood stream. Endotoxins themselves are also able to enter the bloodstream and research suggests a link between endotoxins and laminitis (Figure 2) and other health issues. One of the key impacts of endotoxins is an inflammatory response, which represents a waste of energy for the animal as well as cell damage leading to health issues. Figure 2 shows how the Biomin® Bioprotection Mix in Mycofix® can reduce some of this damage.

Figure 1. SARA and endotoxins. Increasing endotoxin concentrations (in EU endotoxin units/mL) found in rumens that had longer duration per day of pH below 6. Note: the endotoxin axis is on a log scale so at 5 the endotoxin concentration is ten times as high as at 4.

Figure 2. The link between endotoxins and laminitis in cattle and horses. Endotoxins (LPS) in an “ex vivo, in vitro” experiment reduced the force required to separate layers of the hoof (indicative of laminitis). The asterisk indicates a statistically significant effect (P < 0.05). The hoof material was unaffected when the Biomin® Bioprotection Mix was added.

The response to endotoxins can also reduce the appropriate immune response, thus increasing disease susceptibility. The high osmolarity due to soluble carbohydrate levels associated with SARA may increase the amount of endotoxins crossing into the bloodstream. High osmolarity leads to increased water flow out of the bloodstream, resulting in some dislodging and eventually the death of epithelial cells, allowing increased uptake of endotoxins and other undesirable substances, such as mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins and Endotoxins

can also have an impact on the intestinal barrier function and so increase the risk of endotoxin uptake into the bloodstream. Similarly, the negative effect of endotoxins on the rumen epithelium may increase the uptake of mycotoxins, increasing the risk to the animal of even hard-to-absorb mycotoxins such as fumonisins. Both mycotoxins and endotoxins can trigger inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects (through reducing response or directly affecting immune cells) and both toxin types can affect, and be exacerbated by, liver damage.

The Effect of Heat

There is a strong link between heat stress and endotoxins. Heat stress increases blood flow to the skin at the expense of the rumen. This deprives epithelial cells of necessary oxygen and allows toxic substances to accumulate. Endotoxin uptake can increase through these damaged cells. Heat stress can also increase the impact of mycotoxins. In addition, both mycotoxins and endotoxins can increase and prolong the negative effects of heat stress.

Management of Endotoxins and Mycotoxins

Management should include steps to reduce heat stress and to balance the diet according to the different demands of productivity and rumen condition. Mycofix® Plus has three strategies to help overcome the combined effects of endotoxins and mycotoxins. An effective binding component can adsorb endotoxins and mycotoxins simultaneously with high efficacy (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Simultaneous binding of aflatoxin and endotoxins. Left hand side: In vitro adsorption efficacy of Mycofix® Plus (0.02%) on aflatoxins (4000ppb) remains the same in the presence of a high level of endotoxin (500 EU/mL). Right hand side: In vitro absorption efficacy of Mycofix® Plus (0.02%) on endotoxin (LPS) binding was similar in the presence or absence of aflatoxins.

In addition to adsorption, a unique and effective biotransformation approach for the difficult-to-bind mycotoxins such as trichothecenes is important to address the direct effects in the animal and their indirect intensifying of endotoxin damage. The third strategy of Mycofix® Plus is to provide protection for the vulnerable epithelial cells, liver cells and immune cells with research-proven bioprotection derived from phytogenic and algal ingredients.

In Brief

Endotoxins can be produced in the rumen by Gramnegative bacteria. Mycotoxins are ingested through contaminated feed ingredients.

At higher levels, endotoxins can compromise the integrity of the gut wall, allowing more undesirable substances, including endotoxins and mycotoxins, to pass into the bloodstream, impacting animal health.

The presence of mycotoxins can increase the uptake of endotoxins and the presence of endotoxins can increase the uptake of mycotoxins.

The multicomponent strategy of Mycofix® can help overcome the combined effects of endotoxins and mycotoxins.

Q: Silage is the main component of a dairy ration. On some farms, it accounts for as much as 60-70% of the ration, whereas on other farms in the same region, the diet contains less than 50% silage. If milk production levels are the same, why is there such a big difference in intake?

ZC: There are some farms where the problem of low feed intake is practically non-existent whereas on others, there is a constant struggle. One reason lies in the preparation and quality of the forage. As it is such a large component of the dairy ration, it has a big influence on feed intake. Forage quality varies according to plant species, variety, fertility, environmental conditions and most importantly, stage of maturity. Figure 1 illustrates how feed intake decreases as the plant gets more mature. In addition, the management practices used for the preservation and storage of the forage are of great importance.

ZC: Protein and energy content play the largest roles in determining forage quality. Good quality forage is high in protein content. This is easily predicted by measuring the plant nitrogen content and multiplying it by 6.25 (the average nitrogen content of protein). Plant maturity at harvest has a large impact on crude protein content. Mature forages have fewer leaves and more stems. Leaves contain soluble proteins like chlorophyll whereas stems are high in fiber and low in protein. Energy content depends on the digestibility of the various chemical fractions of the forage. One common way of predicting forage energy content is by measuring the amount of fiber. Plants that contain large amounts of fiber are generally less digestible.

Q: If forage is grown under controlled conditions on farm, why do we struggle with quality?

ZC: In practice, a lot depends on the priority of the individual farm. Farms focused exclusively on milk production will produce a very different quality forage to those focused primarily on plant production. If the quality of forage is compromised, high costs will be incurred to purchase supplements to correct the forage quality to ensure high milk production. Due to the high demands on machinery, labor and equipment at specific times of the year, especially around the time of first and second cuts of grass and grain harvesting time, the harvest can be delayed, resulting in a lower feed value of the collected and stored material. Forage that is delayed in its collection is difficult to ensile; increased fiber levels result in resistance to compaction and all the associated problems related to aerobic stability. Crops that are harvested late are often contaminated with molds, toxic alkaloids (like those found in most tall fescues) and mycotoxins that enter the bunker silo and pits, and consequently hinder animal performance. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of molds belonging to several genera but in particular, Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium spp. which all cause mycotoxicosis. When livestock ingest one or more mycotoxins, the effect on health can be severe, producing evident signs of disease and in some cases, leading to death.

Q: Is harvest delay a common problem?

ZC: Unfortunately, it is very common. There are farms that manage to harvest on time and milk more than 40 liters per cow per day based on rations with up to 80% forage. To produce such high milk output, the quality of the harvested material must be very high. Feed accounts for approximately 60% of all costs in a dairy operation. If efforts are concentrated on collecting good quality, palatable material with a high nutrient content, the cost of purchased feed can be reduced. Associated veterinary bills will also go down due to fewer problems related to low feed intakes.

Table 1. NDF intake targets throughout lactation and the dry period

Q: What does producing high quality forage mean in practice for farm managers?

ZC: We used to say that every year is different, but every year after winter comes spring. Winter is the time where all the necessary work should be done. Here are my top three winter tasks:

Carry out a forage inventory – a calculation of all current forage that is stored, including proper identification of the nutrient value and day of harvest. A forage inventory should be carried out every three months. This will help to avoid unforeseen situations of ration changes caused by poor allocation of forage (e.g. running out of corn silage or having to switch from grass to corn silage in a ration). Cows do not adjust well to ration changes.

Analyses – the nutritional value of all stored material with separate analyses for mycotoxin contamination should be carried out.

Planning ahead - to anticipate change is the best way to deal with it.

The use of silage inoculants is common to control fermentation and reduce dry matter losses. Biostabil® Plus for grass encourages proper fermentation and supports the aerobic stability of the forage. Mycotoxin prevention costs are much lower than the cost of fighting disease. Mycofix® Plus is the only registered product in EU that is recommended for the deactivation of mycotoxins.

Q: How much forage is needed on the dairy farm?

ZC: The amount of forage needed by a lactating dairy cow is based on dry matter (DM) intake and the concentration of forage in the diet (Table 1). The same is true for non-lactating animals and young stock. Optimum forage intake (the amount of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) needed to support maximum milk production), has been calculated by Mertens (2009) as 1.2% of the body weight of the cow. This applies to cows in mid and late lactation.

Q: What is NDF?

ZC: Neutral detergent fiber, or NDF, is the most common measure of fiber used for animal feed analysis. It includes most of the structural components of plant cells. Fiber is inversely correlated to energy content. Too much fiber in the ration reduces passage rate, limits intake and supplies only a moderate amount of energy for milk production. Cows fed with high levels of fiber in the ration remain healthy, but do not produce milk to their full genetic potential. If the forage harvest is delayed, NDF content increases which consequently means that less forage should be used in the ration. On the other hand, a deficiency of fiber in the dairy ration leads to rumen acidosis and other metabolic disorders so a balance must be found.

Q: What can be done if forage harvest is delayed?

ZC: Every effort should be made to avoid delays to the forage harvest. However, when a delay does occur, silage inoculants should be applied to speed up the fermentation process and increase the digestibility of the ensiled material. One good solution is to use BioStabil® Plus, as it will also reduce shrink losses during storage and feeding. Material that is ensiled without inoculants can lose as much as 20% of the nutritional value due to shrinkage. When harvest is delayed, the cutting length should be reduced, and proper attention should be paid to the compaction and covering of the forage.

Q: Are there any other suggestions for when the forage harvest is delayed?

ZC: The amount of silage that has a high NDF content should be reduced in high lactating cows, and replaced with purchased feed. For dry cows, those in late lactation and growing heifers, it should be sufficient to include a mycotoxin deactivation product such as Mycofix® Plus with the forage, and include it in the ration as normal. An alternative solution is to replace the low-digestible silage with by-products that are high in NDF, but that also have a high neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) such as soy hulls, beet pulp and in some situations citrus pulp. These products offer a more rapid source of NDF that is highly digested. The mycotoxin content of by-products is generally high so there is a need to use Mycofix® Plus to provide full protection against all mycotoxins.

Q: Can NDFD in forages be too high?

ZC: In practical conditions, it is unusual for forage to be too digestible. It could occur when, for example un-matured, very early cut grass containing a high sugar content and high NDFD content is ensiled. This could be counteracted by reducing the amount of grain in the ration.

]]>MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersRuminantsArticlesnews-1861Wed, 07 Mar 2018 10:01:00 +0100Mycotoxin Occurrence in US Corn - Survey Results Inhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/mycotoxin-occurrence-in-us-corn-survey-results-in/
Mycotoxins, fungal metabolites produced by common molds capable of infecting almost all types of grains, are toxic to animals and humans. As part of the Biomin® PROcheck mycotoxin risk management program, annual surveys are conducted to assess the occurrence of mycotoxins in the new corn crop from the United States of America.Design

Occurrence

A total of 88% of samples tested positive for mycotoxins compared to 96% in 2016. Type B trichothecenes such as deoxynivalenol continue to pose a major threat to livestock this year, with an occurrence at 75%, average contamination level of 1,026 ± 179 ppb (all values are presented as an average ± SEM), and maximum of 54,149 ppb. Both occurrence and average level are decreased for B-Trich compared to 2016 (85% occurrence with an average of 1682 ± 96 ppb, maximum of 30,440). FUM for the current sample pool is less than 2016 with a prevalence of 43%, an average contamination level of 2298 ± 397 ppb, and a maximum of 64,500 ppb. This is compared to 70% and an average of 3878 ± 410 ppb in 2016. However, the current sample pool is skewed towards Midwestern corn, and those in Southern areas should be mindful of FUM contamination of the 2017 crop from corn grown in these regions.

Table 1. Summary of mycotoxin analysis

Parameters

B-Trich

FUM

ZEN

Afla

A-Trich

OTA

Positive samples (%)

75

43

29

4

<1

<1

Mean of positives [ppb]

1026

2298

248

12

135

600

SEM1 of positives [ppb]

179

397

55

4

15

*NA

Maximum contamination [ppb]

54,149

64,500

5,556

67

150

600

1Standard error of mean

Figure 1. Prevalence (%) and average contamination level (ppb) of positive samples for Afla, ZEN, B Trich, and FUM from 2012 to 2017. OTA and A Trich are not represented due to low number of samples

The prevalence of ZEN in the 2017 harvest was 29%, with an average of 248 ± 55 ppb, and maximum of 5556 ppb. Average sample contamination level and prevalence is lower for ZEN compared to 2016 (2016: prevalence at 56% with a mean of 339 ± 62 ppb). Prevalence and average contamination levels of B-Trich, FUM and ZEN are less than 2017, and appear similar to 2015. Contamination levels of B-Trich and FUM remain above 2015 levels. The overall trend has been increasing prevalence of B-Trich and ZEN contamination since 2013, with a decreasing trend of FUM. Afla prevalence in the sample pool appears to have decreased since 2012, but this year due to weather during the harvest and out-door storage of bumper crop corn, producers should remain vigilant of corn quality and storage conditions throughout the calendar year.

Risk level

Figure 2. Threat of mycotoxin-related risks to livestock based upon threshold levels according to FDA and EU regulatory and guidance values. States from which samples with levels of contamination representing a high risk are illustrated in red. States with positive samples below high threshold levels are illustrated in pink, without positive samples are illustrated in dark grey, and without samples submitted are illustrated in light grey. State information was not available for all samples. The maximum level does not preclude specific, severe instances of mycotoxin contamination in farm or fields locally, nor does it account for the negative impacts of multiple mycotoxin presence. OTA and A-Trich maps are not included due to small number of positive sample

The contamination of samples with B-Trich above 900 ppb and FUM above 2000 ppb was observed in 12 and 17 states, respectively. Zearalenone levels exceeding 100 ppb were detected in samples from 16 states. The occurrence of samples above threshold levels for Afla, T-2 and OTA were sparse, and found in samples from single sources. The occurrence of Afla above 20 ppb was detected in South Carolina, A-Trich at levels above 100 ppb did not have state information, and OTA above 100 ppb was found in Ohio.

Distribution

Figure 3. Distribution of contaminated samples

Detected occurrence above the risk level of 100 ppb was 59% for ZEN (73% in 2016) while it was 26% for B-Trich above 900 ppb (51% in 2016), and 28% for FUM above 2,000 ppb (42% in 2016). This 2017 harvest, B-Trich, ZEN, and FUM present the main threats in the US corn, consistent with previous years.

Co-occurrence

With more than ten-years of experience monitoring the occurrence of mycotoxins in livestock feeds, BIOMIN has shown that co-occurrence of mycotoxins (the presence of more than one mycotoxin) is the rule and not the exception. As illustrated in Figure 4, 43% of US corn samples harvested in 2017 were contaminated with just one mycotoxin while 45% showed co-contamination with more than one mycotoxin, a decrease from 2016 and similar to 2015. Of the co-contaminated samples, 15% were positive for all three fusarium toxins (B-Trich, FUM, and ZEN), while co-contamination with B-Trich and FUM, and B-Trich and ZEN were 16% and 13%, respectively.

Figure 4. Co-occurrence of mycotoxins from 2012-2017.

Summary

Overall, B-Trich such as deoxynivalenol present the highest threat in the US corn harvest samples due to its high prevalence and number of samples above the FDA recommended level.

In terms of occurrence, FUM ranks second among the six major mycotoxins analyzed in these samples. As a result of its co-occurrence with other toxins, ZEN continues to be a concern in US corn.

While occurrence and co-occurrence levels in 2017 have decreased compared to 2016, data suggests fusarium toxins in combination remain a threat to the livestock industry.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-1887Tue, 06 Mar 2018 11:44:00 +0100Vaccination Strategies in the Context of Antibiotic Reduction [Summary]http://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/vaccination-strategies-in-the-context-of-antibiotic-reduction-summary/
Summary of a talk given by Prof. Paolo Martelli DVM, Diplomate ECPHM, President of the ECPHM and Full Professor of Veterinary Clinical Medicine at Parma University, Italy.The concept of One Health represents very new terminology, but there is nothing new about the interaction between animals, humans and the environment. The interactions between these three areas are increasingly overlapping so that veterinary medicine, human medicine and the environment are becoming more and more closely linked. This is why the concept is called One Health.]]>MycotoxinsPigsArticlesVideosnews-1619Tue, 06 Mar 2018 10:43:00 +0100Optimizing Gut Health and Performance through a Phytogenic Feed Additivehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/optimizing-gut-health-and-performance-through-a-phytogenic-feed-additive/
Modern animal production is facing several challenges. Growing demand for animal products and volatile or rising prices for raw materials require the implementation of optimal production conditions with the aim to secure high animal performance.

Phytogenic feed additives have gained considerable attention in the feed industry and to an increasing extent producers are incorporating them into their feeding programs. Today, 70–80% of the companies have been or are using phytogenics in broiler and pig feeds (World Poultry, 2008).

Phytogenic compounds have traditionally been used as flavours and spices in human nutrition and medicine, as well as for food preservation. There are a large number of herbs and spices that may be considered as Natural Growth Promoters in animal nutrition, of which the most frequently used are presented in Table 1. Most of these plants contain a considerable number of active substances which determines their in vivo efficacy.

It is evident that this category of feed additives covers a large variety of substances with an even bigger number of active ingredients, including carvacrol, thymol, cinnamaldehyde and anethol, just to mention a few important examples. Phytogenic feed additives are either available in a solid, dried and ground form or as extracts or essential oils. Usually, phytogenics vary seriously in their chemical ingredients, depending on their composition and influences of climatic conditions, locations or harvest time. Hence, differences in efficacy between phytogenic products which are currently available at the market can be attributed mainly to differences in their chemical composition (Steiner, 2006).

Essential oils are odoriferous, secondary plant products which contain most of the plant’s active substances, being mainly hydrocarbons (e.g. terpenes, sesquiterpenes), oxygenated compounds (e.g. alcohol, aldehydes, ketones) and a small percentage of non-volatile residues (e.g. paraffin, wax) (Losa, 2000). They are obtained from the raw materials, basically through steam distillation.

In comparison to Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGPs), phytogenics do usually not bear the risk of cross-resistances and residues in animal products. Improvements in feed conversion ratio (FCR) and body weight gain, as well as their benefits in assisting in disease prevention have been observed in recent trials.

Mode of action of phytogenics

A vast number of studies have been carried out regarding the screening of phytogenic compounds for their biological activities. Several plant extracts have shown antimicrobial, anticoccidial, fungicidal or antioxidant properties associated with their lipophylic character (Giannenas et al., 2003; Helander et al., 1998; Juven et al., 1994). Phytogenic agents originating from oregano, thyme or cinnamon, for example, show broad antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic bacteria including E. coli, Salmonella and Clostridium. However, information about the mode of action of commercially available phytogenic feed additives is rather scarce. Assessment of biological effects is difficult if the composition of a test substance is unclear or variable. It is mandatory that phytogenic feed additives have a standardized composition which is based on carefully selected raw materials, undergoing strict quality control measures. A series of experiments was carried out using a synergistic combination of selected essential oils from oregano, anise and citrus, and prebiotic substances (Digestarom® P.E.P.).

Among these studies, recent data from a research project with swine (Kroismayr, 2008a,b) indicates that the mode of action of Digestarom® P.E.P. is versatile and conclusive (Figure 1), finally assisting the animal to reach its genetic potential for growth performance better.

Figure 1.Principal mode of action of a phytogenic additive based on oregano, anise and citrus essential oils (Digestarom® P.E.P.)

The study was initiated and lead by the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna (Austria). Additionally, the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna and the Technical University Munich–Weihenstephan (Germany) were involved in the project. Digestarom® P.E.P. was tested in weaning piglets because these animals, and especially their gut environment, are representative for many nonruminant species. One-hundred-and-twenty weaning piglets were assigned to three trial groups: (1) negative control group, (2) group with Digestarom® P.E.P. and (3) positive control group with a commonly used AGP (Avilamycin). On day 22 of the 50-day feeding trial, 12 piglets out of each trial group were sacrificed and samples of digesta and various tissues were collected. It was shown in this work that addition of the phytogenic feed additive to the basal diet resulted in a reduction of the total bacterial count in the intestinal tract, concomitant with an increased nutrient digestibility (Stoni et al., 2005, Figure 2). Furthermore, decreased contents of ammonia and biogenic amines were an additional indicator for the beneficial impact of the phytogenic feed additive on gut microbiology. Finally, a down-regulation of the immune system was observed, as indicated by smaller Peyers Patches in the ileum and lower activity of specific primers (NFκB, Cyclin D1) of immune action. In conclusion, this indicates that more energy and nutrients are available for accretion of body mass rather than for microbial growth and immune action (“energy and nutrient sparing”).

Furthermore, there is evidence that phytogenics stimulate digestive secretions such as saliva or endogenous digestive enzymes (Williams and Losa, 2001; Platel and Srinivasan, 1996). In the meantime, additional studies are in progress to further identify potential mechanisms associated with the incorporation of phytogenics in diets for different animal species.

Phytogenics in broiler production

The main target in broiler production is to optimize feed conversion (FCR). Digestarom® P.E.P. was tested in different dosages in a scientific trial at the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece (Mountzouris et al., 2008). Day-old, male Cobb broiler chicks were assigned to different treatments, comprising 3 replications per treatment and 105 birds per treatment. The Negative Control (NC) contained no growth promoters, whereas the Positive Control (PC) contained Avilamycin. In further treatments, Digestarom® P.E.P. 125 poultry was supplemented at 125 or 250 g/t, respectively. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, Digestarom® P.E.P. increased body weight gain and significantly improved FCR. Differences between the dosages of Digestarom® P.E.P. were minor, indicating that the regular inclusion level of 125 g/t was optimal under the experimental conditions herein.

Figure 3. Effect of phytogenics and an Antibiotic Growth Promoter on total body weight gain of broilers (Agricultural University of Athens, Greece)

Figure 4. Effect of phytogenics and an Antibiotic Growth Promoter on FCR of broilers (Agricultural University of Athens, Greece). a,b Means with different letter differ (P<0.05).

Phytogenics in egg production

The effects on performance and economics of Digestarom® P.E.P. were investigated in the early stages of the egg production cycle (Nichol and Steiner, 2008). A 12-week trial was carried out with high-performing, Lohmann Brown hens using six replications with 16 birds per replication in a randomized complete block design and resulting in 96 hens per treatment. The age of the birds at the beginning and conclusion of the trial was 20 and 32 weeks, respectively. The birds were assigned to two dietary treatments: (1) Control (no additives), (2) control + Digestarom® P.E.P. All birds were vaccinated for Newcastle Disease and Infectious Bronchitis every six weeks. As shown in Table 2, hens fed phytogenics consumed less feed and had higher egg production as compared to the control group. Total and average daily feed intake was lower by 1.8% when the control diet was supplemented with phytogenics.

Table 2. Effects of phytogenics on average performance parameters (week 20 to 31) of layers

Hens offered phytogenics produced more eggs and had a better feed conversion in comparison to birds in the control group. Additionally, supplementation of the diets with phytogenics improved egg shell parameters (Table 3), i.e. shell thickness (P<0.05) and albumen height. As indicated by a higher Haugh Unit rating (82 vs. 79), the internal egg quality was higher in hens fed phytogenics.

Phytogenics and Necrotic Enteritis

Necrotic Enteritis (NE) is an extremely costly disease in modern broiler production. It was estimated that the cost related to NE in commercial broiler flock is as high as 5 US-cents per bird (Choct, 2006). The main causative agent of NE is Clostridium perfringens. C. perfringens is a gram-positive, anaerobic and spore-forming bacterium that is widely present in the environment. There are five types of C. perfringens (Type A, B, C, D and E), classified by their ability to produce different exotoxins (α-, β-, ε- and ι-toxin) as well as Clostridium perfringens Enteroxin. The severe disease pattern of NE is mainly related to α-toxin, a phospholipase which disintegrates cell membranes. Typical signs of NE are depressed growth performance and increased mortality, associated with severe lesions on the intestinal mucosa. It has been hypothesized that phytogenic agents might reduce the clinical signs of NE in broilers. A study conducted at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) focused on this topic (Mc Reynolds et al., 2008). The results are very promising, showing that Digestarom® P.E.P. had a highly beneficial impact by reducing NE symptoms in birds that had been challenged with C. perfringens.

Phytogenics in pig nutrition

Optimizing FCR is also crucial for efficiency in swine production. A trial was recently carried out at Kansas State University, United States, to evaluate the efficacy of phytogenics in comparison to AGPs in post-weaning piglets (Sulabo et al., 2007). 144 piglets (22 days of age) were assigned to three treatment groups: Group 1 was fed a negative control diet without growth-promoters. Group 2 received the negative control diet supplemented with Digestarom® P.E.P. Group 3 was offered a positive control diet containing AGPs (140 g/t neomycin sulfate and 140 g/t oxytetracycline HCl). Growth performance was significantly improved over the negative control group when phytogenics or antibiotics were added to the feed. In terms of average daily gains, the pigs fed phytogenics were intermediate between the negative control and the AGPs (Figure 5). Feed conversion, however, was best in the group receiving Digestarom® P.E.P. (Figure 6).

Not only daily gain and FCR were improved by 5.2 and 4.5%, respectively. Also the Danish Production Value was increased by 10.3% through supplementation of the feed with phytogenics. The Danish Production Value represents an indicator of productivity and is calculated as follows: (kg gain × DKK/kg gain)–(no. of analyzed FUp × DKK/FUp), with figures being based on average local prices of 5 years.

Phytogenics in sow nutrition

The high energy requirement of the sow in lactation is compensated for by the reduction of body mass. A reduction in body mass by 15 kg is commonly considered as tolerable (Jeroch et al., 1999). However, higher reductions can negatively affect the sow’s fertility. There is a close correlation between litter size, feed intake and milk production, which indicates that feed intake of the sow has a substantial impact on litter performance. Sow’s milk is the primary source of energy, nutrients and antibodies for new-born piglets. Therefore, adequate lactation performance is crucial to obtain healthy piglets with satisfying growth rates. Data presented in Figure 7 was obtained from a trial at Texas A&M University, United States (Miller et al., 2003). In this trial, sows were fed either a basal feed with or without supplemental phytogenics. Sows fed Digestarom® P.E.P. consistently ingested more feed (on average 6.2 vs. 5.4 kg/d) as compared to the control sows. Furthermore, Digestarom® P.E.P. reduced sow body weight losses in lactation (7.2 vs. 13.3 kg) in the above mentioned study.

As a consequence of the increased sow feed intake in lactation, also piglet performance is usually substantially increased. The data from the Texas A&M University indicates the benefit of using Digestarom® P.E.P. in sows (Table 5).

Table 5. The effect of supplementation of sows with Digestarom® P.E.P. during late gestation through lactation on sow and pig performance (Miller et al., 2003)

As shown above, positive effects of phytogenics in sow nutrition are usually reflected in increased litter performance. Results from different trial locations are summarized in Figure 8. In these trials, supplementation of diets for sows with phytogenics (Digestarom®P.E.P.) increased average weaning weight of the piglets by 3 to 9%.

Figure 8. Effect of supplementation of diets for sows with phytogenics (Digestarom® P.E.P.) on weaning weight of piglets

Conclusion

Phytogenics represent one of the most promising groups of feed additives. It should be kept in mind that only a well-balanced and scientifically developed combination of active ingredients with defined properties can be expected to function synergistically in order to bring about the desired benefits for the producer. Consistent beneficial effects on productivity in poultry, pigs and calves have been reported in scientific studies using a blend of oregano, anise and citrus essential oils. Furthermore, an overwhelming portion of livestock producers consider phytogenics as an outstanding solution to enhance performance and, therefore, profitability.

With regard to pullet body weight and layer performance, sexual maturity is directly correlated with the onset of the production cycle. Flock uniformity at sexual maturity allows producers to have a sooner start of production, higher peak lay, and better persistency of egg production. Another advantage of having flocks with uniform body weights is the ability to easily meet the nutrient requirements for the entire flock with one diet. Ideally, the uniformity of body weights within a particular flock should be close to 85%. Pullets with body weights that are too low tend to reach sexual maturity later and produce less eggs over their lifetime than heavier birds. Furthermore, pullets not achieving target body weight could demonstrate poor physiological and anatomical conformation particularly in the gastrointestinal and reproductive systems.

Off target

There are several consequences of having body weights that exceed the target during the growing period. Obese hens do not have normal vaginal mucosa retraction and often prolapse, thus exposing them to pecking by other birds. This abnormality leads to increased mortality and early reduction of egg production. Other undesirable consequences, such as increased basal nutritional requirements and higher production of non-marketable eggs, may consequently reduce profitability.

Phytogenic Feed Additives

Phytogenic feed additives (PFA) have shown positive effects on gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology and nutrient digestion and absorption. These positive effects are due to increased production of pancreatic enzymes, improvement in intestinal integrity, and augmented bile secretion. Pancreatic enzymes aid in the digestion of nutrients such as lipids, carbohydrates, and amino acids in the intestinal lumen. By optimizing nutrient digestibility and improving intestinal morphology, nutrient absorption is also enhanced. Overall, phytogenic feed additives improve nutrient utilization, thus allowing more nutrients to be utilized by the bird to reach the ideal body weight. Phytogenics are also able to decrease the amount of pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. The increased digestibility when phytogenic are used leads to a decrease in the free protein in the lumen of the intestine, diminishing the pathogens prevalence.

Probiotics

Probiotics stabilize the gastrointestinal microbiota by preventing the colonization of pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium, supporting immunity against microbial and environmental insults, and enhancing intestinal integrity. The efficacy of probiotics may be modified by the amount and kind of strains being utilized. Often times, several strains used in conjunction can be more effective than a single one. Some of the beneficial effects caused by probiotics include enhanced nutrient absorption due to increased length and width of the intestinal villi and augmented secretion of important digestive enzymes such as amylase. Additionally, several studies have demonstrated that birds fed diets supplemented with probiotics display an enhanced immune response against pathogens and better performance than supplemented birds.

Organic Acids

Animal feed has been identified as a notable carrier for numerous bacteria that can cause health issues not only for the animal ingesting the contaminated feed, but also humans who may come in contact with products from those infected animals. Feed can become contaminated by pathogens during harvest, handling processes, transportation, processing, and storage. Once ingested, bacterial pathogens can gain access to the gastrointestinal tract and cause tremendous investment of metabolic energy and loss of performance. For many years, science has shown that organic acids can reduce bacterial load in animal feed. The mechanisms by which organic acids exert their beneficial effects include their ability to disrupt intracellular pH regulation, thus causing cell death, reduce intestinal pH, creating an environment unsuitable for pathogenic growth, and enhance digestive enzyme activity. Through these mechanisms, organic acids reduce pathogenic burden in the intestine and promote growth and improved performance in birds.

Pullets with body weights that are too low tend to reach sexual maturity later and produce less eggs over their lifetime.

Costs of Inflammation

Intestinal health is fundamental to achieving and maintaining ideal body weight. Intestinal health may be disrupted by several situations such as pathogenic challenge, poor quality feed ingredients, and environmental stressors. These insults may trigger intestinal inflammation, which results in expensive costs in the physiological economy. When challenged with inflammatory processes, the body has less energy to spend because of lowered energy intake due to anorexia; on the other hand, energy expenditure is higher because of the increased metabolic rate caused by inflammation. Fortunately, nature offers some tools that are able to counteract the negative effects of inflammation. Phytogenic feed additives and probiotics have shown to be effective in optimizing nutrient digestibility and absorption and feed conversion.

Phytogenic feed additives, organic acids, and probiotics in combination are able to optimize nutrient digestion and absorption, reduce pathogenic load in the intestine, modulate the immune response, and improve gastrointestinal integrity.

Summary

Effective digestion, absorption, and investment of nutrients leads to the achievement of target pullet body weight and increased flock uniformity. Optimal production onset, peak, and persistency will occur only in pullets with ideal and uniform body weights. Furthermore, appropriate body structure and physiology lead to the production of more marketable eggs. Overall, these features ultimately determine the production cycle profitability.Phytogenic feed additives, organic acids, and probiotics in combination are able to optimize nutrient digestion and absorption, reduce pathogenic load in the intestine, modulate the immune response, and improve gastrointestinal integrity. Thus, these novel feed additives may allow the relocation of resources from immunological responses against insult towards anatomical development and ideal body weight in pullets.

]]>MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryArticlesnews-1883Mon, 05 Mar 2018 14:14:00 +0100Poultry Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics: Application in Poultry Nutritionhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/poultry-probiotics-prebiotics-and-synbiotics-application-in-poultry-nutrition/
For poultry professionals, it is important to understand the different actions of the various probiotic products on the market, and to use the one that is most suited to their particular requirements.

Here we clarify the terminology used regarding probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics, and provide an overview of the main categories of commercially available products along with their relative strengths and drawbacks.

Definitions

A probiotic is “a live organism which, when given in sufficient quantities, confers a benefit to the host” (FAO/WHO, 2001). Probiotics are also called direct-fed microbials, or DFMs.

A prebiotic is a non-digestible additive often consisting of natural dietary fibers such as fructooligsaccharides (FOS) that stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the colon, thus improving host health (Gibson and Roberfroid, 1995).

A synbiotic is a combination of probiotic and prebiotic products (Patterson and Burkholder, 2003).

Categories of commercial probiotics

Currently, there is a range of probiotic products available globally. These products fall into several categories; single strain, multi-strain, multi-strain / multi-species and synbiotic products. There are also a few multi-genus products available, but due to the complexity of cultivation and stabilization, these products are rare. Table 1 provides an overview of the major probiotic bacteria species used. The modes of action of the various probiotic species differ between performance enhancement and gut health improvements, including competitive exclusion of pathogens.

Table 1: Main species of probiotic bacteria

Genus

Major species used

Bacillus

B. subtilis, B. licheniformis

Lactobacillus

L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. reuteri, L.salivarus, L. sobrius

Enterococcus

E. faecium

Bifidobacterium

B. animalis, B. bifidum

Pediococcus

P. acidilactici

Clostridium

C. butyricum

Streptococcus

S. thermophilus

Source: BIOMIN

Two major categories of probiotics

Most commercial probiotic products fall into two major categories. First, the sporulated Bacillus spp., both single and multi-species, which remain in the lumen or outer mucus layer (dark green in Figure 1). Second, the lactic acid producing bacteria which, depending on their origins and mucus attaching capabilities, are either able to colonize the firmly attached mucus (light green in Figure 1) and the underlying epithelial wall itself like most Bifidobacteriumanimalis strains, or they are transient organisms like most Lactobacillus acidophilus strains, which are not colonizing said areas, similar to Bacillus spp..

Figure 1. Mucus layers of the gastrointestinal tract

Adapted from Atuma et al., 2001.

Understanding Bacillus spp.

Starting with the small intestine, many of the Bacillus species remain in the lumen or the upper layer of the loosely adhering mucus layer of the gut, and excrete proteases or non-starch polysaccharide enzymes, thereby increasing nutrient digestibility. This reduces the availability of easily fermentable nutrients to pathogenic bacteria, especially in the hindgut. Bacillus species also have the ability to secrete some bacteriocins (metabolites that selectively inhibit bacterial growth), which has a positive effect in modulating pathogenic bacteria like Clostridium perfringens coming from the feed.

As described above, Bacillus spp. are not colonizing bacteria but transient microorganisms. This means they are unable to attach to the epithelial layer of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby inherently limiting any direct immune modulation in the bird. In addition, many Bacilli are isolated from soil, not poultry, limiting the host immune interaction further. However, the increase in protein digestibility combined with the bacteriocin production reduces the risk of gut inflammation from C. perfringens, thereby improving the bird’s health and performance, and reducing the need for therapeutic antibiotic treatments in an indirect fashion.

Although Bacillus spores provide the natural protection of a probiotic, the spores are not metabolically active. Consequently, they need to be activated throughout the digestive process in the chicken, which is done with temperature over time and through the presence of free amino acids in the small intestine. There are ongoing debates as to the time it takes for spores to germinate in order for their protective and digestive capabilities to take effect in a bird’s gastrointestinal tract.

Scientific studies indicate that spore germination is triggered by moisture (here saliva), temperature over time and free amino acids, as well as a sensitivity to acid of the viable Bacillus. This indicates that most activity can be expected past the gizzard, when the pH of the digesta is close to neutral, starting in the duodenum.

Lactic acid producing bacteria

The lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB), for example Lactobacillus spp., Pediococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp., can be derived from various sources, which may not be particularly poultry. This may have an impact on the ability of the individual bacteria species to adhere to the firmly attached mucus layer (light green in Figure 1) and intestinal cell lining, and therefore reducing the ability of the bacteria to competitively exclude pathogenic bacteria from attachment sites.

This attachment is important for the early development of the immune system as it is a time when the system is being imprinted in regard to its function. With 70% of the chicken’s immune system in the intestine, rapid development of this system is important to the future gut health of the bird.

As the name indicates, lactic acid producing bacteria have the ability to produce organic acids, primarily acetic and lactic acid, but in a few cases butyric acid as well. They are generally produced along with a large variety of bacteriocins. Acetic acid is also used by some of the other commensal bacteria in the cecum as a food source, for example it is utilized to produce butyric acids as a metabolite. This may help explain why there is an increase in natural butyrate production with probiotics, even when no butyric acid producing bacteria are included in the probiotic mix itself.

In addition, many of the pathogenic bacteria, such as avian pathogenic E. coli or Salmonella spp., are pH sensitive, so even localized production of organic acids in the firmly attached mucus layer, along with the bacteriocin secretion of probiotic bacteria will have a modulating effect of pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. Colonization by a beneficial Bifidobacterium strain can improve a bird’s immune development, limiting the need for immune response, thereby reducing the nutrient loss for this process.

Two key factors for prebiotics

The success of a prebiotic relies on two factors:

Being indigestible to pathogenic bacteria but able to stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus

Being able to restrict the growth and colonization of pathogenic bacteria

The process of restricting pathogens while favoring beneficial bacteria is known as competitive exclusion, often abbreviated to CE. Competitive exclusion can only be achieved with live organisms through activity in the digestive tract.

Contention over true synbiotics

Some companies combine probiotic bacteria with prebiotic mixtures in order to produce a synbiotic product. The prebiotics advance the rapid establishment of the probiotic strains through the provision of an additional nutrient source. However, with low inclusion levels and localization in close proximity to the probiotic, the prebiotic effects will be more limited to the probiotic bacteria rather than the general microbiota, which can also utilize them. There is ongoing discussion that immune-modulating prebiotics, e.g. those used in combination with probiotic bacteriocin producing strains, where the prebiotic (e.g. immune modulatory yeast cell walls) is not in direct support of the probiotic, is, strictly speaking, not a true synbiotic.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryBlog Postsnews-1881Fri, 02 Mar 2018 09:52:00 +0100Video Clips on Antibiotic Reduction in Layers from our Egg Production Eventhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/video-clips-on-antibiotic-reduction-in-layers-from-our-egg-production-event/
From 26 to 28 February, 2018, 200 delegates representing 30 nationalities gathered in Austria to exchange views on trends in the egg industry, including the trend towards cage-free hens and how to reduce antibiotic usage. The full title of the BIOMIN Antibiotic-Free Days symposium – “Solving the Antibiotic-Free Production Puzzle: Guidelines for a responsible use of antibiotics in modern poultry production”— featured BIOMIN and guest experts from a range of disciplines.

We captured a number of clips from the sidelines of the event, which provide several key points from two days of discussions.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryBlog Postsnews-1880Thu, 01 Mar 2018 10:34:00 +0100BIOMIN Announces 2018 World Nutrition Forum Detailshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-announces-2018-world-nutrition-forum-details/
Leading feed, livestock and aquaculture professionals along with researchers, academics and other representatives will gather in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 to 5 October 2018. 26 February 2018 - BIOMIN has just announced details regarding the 8th edition of the biennial World Nutrition Forum. The theme of the 2018 premier animal nutrition event hosted by BIOMIN will be S.C.O.P.E. which signifies 'Scientific Challenges and Opportunities in the Protein Economy.'

The 2018 World Nutrition Forum will offer top industry professionals a spectrum of varying perspectives and viewpoints on factors that will influence tomorrow's protein economy. Species-specific breakout sessions will provide a platform for reflection on topics in the poultry, swine, ruminants, and aquaculture sectors.

An expert session on gut health and performance will zoom in on antibiotic resistance and the role of novel feed additives as alternatives to antibiotic usage in farm animals. In addition, a top-class mycotoxin expert session will address key research findings and leading-edge technologies in the fields of mycotoxin prediction and deactivation.

"Now is an exciting time in the field of animal nutrition. Our scientific understanding of living organisms is advancing in ways that were almost unimaginable a decade ago. At the same time, consumer requirements are having a greater influence on how we feed and care for farm animals," noted Dr Hannes Binder, Managing Director of BIOMIN.

"At BIOMIN, we have always been committed to putting the most advanced scientific knowledge to work for our clients in order to help them achieve successful outcomes," explained Dr Binder. "Bringing industry practitioners and leading experts from around the world together at the World Nutrition Forum exemplifies that commitment."

About the World Nutrition Forum

First held in Salzburg in 2004, the World Nutrition Forum hosted by BIOMIN has become the leading opportunity for industry practitioners to share ideas and exchange knowledge. These biennial summits are consistently well rated by attendees. Each iteration draws upon the uniqueness of the location, speakers and participants while maintaining the highest quality standards for both content and organization.

Convening in Cape Town

Commonly known as the 'Mother City' and recognized as a top global destination, Cape Town offers a vibrant, multicultural setting and modern infrastructure well suited for meetings and conventions. Attractive sights, unmatched hospitality, an eclectic mix of cuisines and the world-class Cape Town International Convention Centre are just a few of many attributes that will make the 2018 World Nutrition Forum experience both eye-catching and eye-opening.

Our scientific understanding of the application of phytogenic feeds additives (PFAs) has progressed considerably and continues to do so. At the same time, our practical experience continues to grow. BIOMIN has partnered with many feed and livestock producers to achieve better outcomes through PFA application. The 2017 BIOMIN Phytogenics Feed Additives Survey identified the top reasons why swine professionals use phytogenic feed additives. BIOMIN has conducted more than 60 commercial swine trials with PFAs in operations across the globe. This article highlights some of the most important commercial trials and their results for sows, weaners and finishing pigs.

Sow fertility improvement, reduced culling

While obtaining a complete data set that covers the full productive lifespan of sows is difficult to achieve in practice, commercial results reveal multiple benefits derived from PFA supplementation of sow diets. In trials where Digestarom® was used from day 80-85 of gestation until weaning, or only in the lactation feed, higher sow feed intakes, higher piglet weaning weights (0.25 – 0.7 kg), lower sow body weight losses and shorter wean-toestrus intervals were reported.

In trials where Digestarom® was applied for one or more complete reproductive cycles in gestation and lactation feed, a similar improvement was observed. The most salient result of these long-term trials was the positive influence of Digestarom® on fertility, as shown in Figure 1.

The enhancement in fertility combined with an equal or slightly higher number of piglets born results in one to two more piglets weaned per sow per year. Figure 2 highlights results of a trial in a 10,000 head sow unit (two herds with approx. 5,000 sows each) where the fertility enhancement meant less culling for reproductive failures in the Digestarom® herd.

Growth promotion in piglets

Looking across 14 commercial trials conducted in China, USA, Mexico, Russia, Poland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, reveals that using Digestarom® in weaner/ grower feed results in a seven percent improvement in weight gain and more than a three percent improvement in feed conversion, on average (Figure 3).

These data have been obtained partly from trials where in-feed antibiotics were compared against phytogenics. (For further discussion of head-to-head comparison of growth promotion of sub-therapeutic antibiotic application vs. PFAs in pig diets, see “Proven Tools to Replace AGPs”).

The ability of Digestarom® to support growth promotion stems from its multi-component mode of action. Scientific trials have shown that Digestarom® enhances the digestibility of feed ingredients, especially of crude protein, by almost 10% (Maenner et al., 2011). The same publication reported a modulating effect on the gut microbiota. Other scientific studies have shown that Digestarom® is capable of reducing inflammatory processes in the gut tissue while also stimulating one of the mayor cell defense mechanisms, the Nrf2 pathway (Gessner et al., 2013).

Combatting scour in piglets

Unspecific diarrhea poses health and performance problems in piglets. Digestarom® P.E.P. liquid is a phytogenic product specifically developed for treating diarrhea in piglets. Trials in South America, Europe and Asia indicate that this phytogenic liquid product used as a preventive application in newborn piglets has the potential to increase weaning weights and to lower pre-weaning mortality as well as the incidence of unspecific diarrhea in piglets, as shown in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 1. Adjusted weaning weight for 23 days in nursery

Table 2. Impact on mortality and weaning weight of first parity litters

Performance improvements in finishers

BIOMIN has conducted more than 20 commercial trials of Digestarom® in finisher diets in Asia, Europe and the US, comparing outcomes against (1) diets with no other additives, (2) diets containing antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) and (3) more recently with diets containing Ractopamine. (The latter, while banned for pigs in the EU and parts of Asia, is still permitted in certain areas).

Zootechnical performance parameters like weight gain or feed efficiency were the most commonly observed and recorded parameters. Due to different trial set ups, very different feed ingredients, and great variability in the starting weights, a direct comparison of the trials results is not feasible. Nevertheless, ADG improvements of 3.5% to 9%, and reductions in FCRs of 2% to 6% are comparable with those observed in piglets. In addition to zootechnical parameters, lean meat percentage, carcass characteristics, meat quality and stock uniformity have a major impact on the profitability of pig finishing.

Even with a wide variety of feed ingredients, in different climatic conditions and production technologies, the use of Digestarom® in finishers has demonstrated its economic advantages for the producer, accomplishing an average return on investment of 3 – 7:1.

More lean meat in finishers

Figure 4 shows a commercial trial that included ten Austrian farms in which Digestarom® improved average lean meat percentages by 0.81 points.

Uniformity improvements in finishers

Unfortunately, herd uniformity was not recorded in the majority of the commercial finisher trials. To highlight one particular example where it was observed, Figure 5 shows the results of a commercial trial in Germany where more than 90% of the Digestarom® group were in the highest three weight categories compared to less than 75% in the control group.

Conclusion

Although not all standards of scientific trials are met in commercial trials, the importance of the latter in demonstrating the value of PFAs under different production conditions, at different production levels and under different climate conditions should not be underestimated. Commercial trials in pigs at various production stages indicate the value of Digestarom® to swine producers in geographies throughout the world.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPigsArticlesnews-1867Mon, 26 Feb 2018 13:42:00 +01006 Critical Factors in Successful Gilt Managementhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/6-critical-factors-in-successful-gilt-management/
Gilts are the vehicles for genetic progression in a pig unit, dictating the productivity performance of the entire unit. Particular care must be paid to six critical factors when managing this group of animals.Photo: iStockphoto_Anatolii Tsekhmister

In Brief

Gilt development determines the future productivity of the unit.

Where possible, raise gilts in a dedicated unit, ensure an adequate and consistent gilt pool, and set strict selection criteria for new gilts.

Use puberty stimulation and insemination targets to synchronize breeding.

An accurate record should be kept for each animal.

Gilts play a paramount role in farm profitability. Together with primiparous sows, they represent the biggest group in an inventory. Gilt development is directly linked to productivity performance in later life; they are the vehicles for injecting genetic progression on a farm. Here are six critical factors for successful gilt production.

1. Provide a dedicated unit

Producing gilts is different to producing fatteners. This is especially true today, when fewer farms purchase gilts and more grow them on farm. Gilts have different requirements in their management, nutrition and housing; dedicated accommodation, management and labor is required. This can be complicated when the number of gilts does not justify a separate unit. Pen space per gilt, floor type, and humanization (accustoming animals to human presence) are parameters with different requirements compared with fatteners.

2. Planning

Every production system must have a constant and adequate gilt pool according to needs and targets. The size of the gilt pool should cover the target replacement rate. In order to achieve an annual replacement rate of up to 50%, grandparent sow numbers should account for 8% to 10% of the inventory. Farrowing of the multiplication herd should be spread throughout the year so that eligible gilts are available for mating every week.

3. Selection

The first inspection of piglets should be carried out in the first days of life, during tagging. Piglets with abnormalities can be excluded at this point. The final selection should take place at around 100kg of weight. Selection should be carried out where there is enough light and sufficient space for the gilts to move freely. Attention should be paid to the number of functioning teats, growth, conformation and leg structure scores. One person should score every animal and all measurements must be recorded. Consider pool quality and requirements for the size of the next pool. Decide the selection density based on gilt batch quality, size of next pool and future insemination targets.

4. Puberty stimulation

Environmental factors such as mixing, boar exposure and other stressors trigger the onset of puberty by acting on the last part of puberty attainment. In order to have a more synchronized estrus in a pool of gilts, boar exposure should not start earlier than 140 to 150 days. The response of gilts to boar exposure could be an indication of fertility. If boar exposure is not enough to trigger the onset of heat in gilts, artificial techniques may be used, but these gilts are expected to be less productive, having a lower retention rate and a smaller first litter (Figure 1). One quarter of the gilt pool can be expected not to respond to boar stimulation, but part of this sub group should be retained as reserve gilts.

Figure 1.Retention rate for early, intermediate, late and non-responsive gilts following boar exposure over 12 non-negotiable aspects of gilt development

Direct boar contact is more effective than contact through a fence; fewer days are needed for the onset of estrus and estrus occurs in a better distribution (Figure 2). Light also plays an important role (Table 1).

Table 1. Effect of light on puberty onset age

Figure 2.Cumulative percentage of gilts attaining a puberty response to direct contact with vasectomized boar in either a purpose built boar stimulation area (orange), in gilt home pens (purple) or fence line contact (green)

5. Synchronized breeding and record keeping

Keeping records is the most important tool in gilt management. Once gilts are selected and boar exposure starts, the heat for individual gilts should be recorded. From these records, the next expected heat can be estimated. If the next heat is not regular, the gilt can be withdrawn from the pool as a gilt with an irregular cycle would result in a lower reproductive performance. For the regular cycling gilts, estimating the next heat 21 days in advance allows time for planning. Knowing which gilts are expected in heat facilitates decision making for insemination and grouping for flushing. In addition, synchronization costs may be avoided.

6. Insemination targets

By optimizing insemination targets, reproductive performance, sow longevity and overall profitability are optimized. However, the simultaneous achievement of optimal growth rate, optimal age and optimal gilt back fat depth at insemination is unlikely as these parameters are all interlinked.

Gilts with low growth rates need more days in feed to reach their target insemination weight, resulting in more non-productive days. Conversely, if the growth rate is too high, it could have a negative impact on longevity by causing future locomotive problems, and a negative impact on productivity through excessive body weight loss in the first lactation, resulting in a delayed return to estrus.

Reviewing insemination targets and research work carried out by various genetic companies indicates that insemination weight, with an optimum at 140 ± 5 kg, seems to be the first priority. Serving a second or third cycle would maximize ovary number and litter size at first farrowing. Following target recommendations based on herd genetics is the best strategy. Each genetic company shares mean parameters that optimize profitability according to their genetic line.

These above points do not cover all the parameters that should be considered in a gilt development plan. Issues such as acclimatization for incoming gilts, nutrition, nutrient requirements, feed quality and vaccination program (immunological preparation) are also important aspects. A sound gilt development plan can positively affect subsequent productivity and longevity of the sow, supporting farm profitability.

In the past decade, medium-sized producers in the United States accounted for most of the domestic antibiotic-free (ABF) pork production. Today, larger producers in the US and elsewhere are making the switch to ABF production due to growing consumer demand and the appeal of premium prices. Yet, several challenges can easily compromise profitability, such as higher mortality (especially in the post weaning phase), variability of market weight, increased days to market, and higher costs of treatment when intervention is required.

In many markets, there are no official guidelines for the rearing of ABF pigs. Each producer has to develop their own program to achieve ABF production, from birth to harvest or during the period of growth being referred to in the claim. Therefore, producers can make their own decisions on adopting and discarding practices and tools to achieve profitability.

The main challenge of ABF pork production is to prevent respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. In this article, we will discuss strategies to prevent gastrointestinal problems by going through an overview of each component of gut health.

What is gut health?

The gut is commonly understood as the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), the place where digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs. A healthy gut maximizes the extraction and utilization of nutrients for animal growth. The definition of gut health is not well established due to the complexity and overlapping functionality. However, most researchers talk about four main areas: microbiota, intestinal integrity, mucosal immune system, and intestinal morphology (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The four overlapping components of gut health

Early establishment of microbiota

The microbiota consists of commensal and pathogenic microorganisms that reside in the lumen of the GIT (Figure 2). The diversity and abundance of the microbiota has a direct effect on the health and well-being of the animals. The establishment of microbiota starts immediately after birth. A newborn piglet is naturally inoculated with microbiota from its environment. The microbiota of the sow and the sanitation of the crate play a crucial role in the establishment of microbiota in the piglet. Sanitation and biosecurity play a pivotal role in preventing disease outbreaks.

In Brief

Producing ABF pork can only be achieved through an understanding of gut health

The four components of gut health are microbiota, intestinal integrity, the mucosal immune system and intestinal morphology

Supplements added to the diet from birth can help promote gut health, improving nutrient absorption and growth rates

Incorporating probiotics and prebiotics into the diet of lactating sows can facilitate the early colonization of the piglet’s GIT with beneficial bacteria. In addition, to sustain this balance between commensal and pathogenic bacteria, supplementation of probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, and phytogenics is also beneficial. An excess of indigestible protein can negatively affect the microbiota because, when it reaches the hindgut, it alters the pH and creates an environment more suitable for the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Hence, it is recommended to use a highly digestible protein source, reduce the level of crude protein in the diet, or incorporate feed additives that can enhance protein digestibility such as phytogenics or proteolytic enzymes (Table 1). The most common enteric problems caused by pathogenic organisms in swine are shown in Table 2.

Competitive exclusion

E. coli is one of the most common causes of neonatal and post-weaning diarrhea. It binds to the enterocytes through fimbrial adhesions (such as F18, K88 and K99) and later the E. coli proliferates and produces enterotoxins (such as STa, STb and LT). The enterotoxins cause excessive secretion of fluids into the lumen, resulting in diarrhea. Some of the probiotic bacterial strains can attach to the intestinal wall, impeding the adherence of pathogenic bacteria to the wall, preventing them from colonizing the gut. This mechanism is referred to as competitive exclusion.

Preserving intestinal integrity

Intestinal integrity is the capability of the epithelial layer to serve as a physical barrier, preventing the translocation of toxins and pathogens while allowing the passage of nutrients (Figure 2). The epithelial layer consists of enterocytes joined together by a complex network of proteins known as tight junctions. The enterocytes have the capability to transport molecules (e.g. ions, amino acids, sugars, and water) in a selective manner. However, the enterocytes can be physically damaged during starvation, water deprivation, heat stress, or by consuming toxins and rancid fats. Damage to the enterocytes impairs the efficient transport of nutrients. In addition, the tight junctions can also be damaged by mycotoxins, bacterial toxins, cytokines, and stress hormones (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Brief description of the components of the intestinal epithelium layer and its surroundings

Disruption of the tight junctions allows many pathogens and toxins to pass through the epithelial layer, possibly causing a systemic inflammatory response. Preventing any sources of environmental stress, reducing the risk of mycotoxins and bacterial infection, and avoiding the inclusion of rancid fats in the diet can help to preserve intestinal integrity (Table 1).

Encouraging cell repair is also beneficial. This can be achieved by providing sufficient antioxidants (vitamins E, C, D and A) in the diet and supporting the activity of the antioxidant systems (glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase). The antioxidant systems are mineral-dependent, thus it is recommended to provide sufficient amounts of the minerals involved in these enzymatic reactions (Se, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe) to ensure their proper functioning.

A common problem in swine production is the contamination of the diets with deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin).

Deoxynivalenol is the most harmful mycotoxin known for swine as it damages the enterocyte and allows the invasion of pathogenic bacteria.

For instance, Salmonella invasion increased ten times when diets were contaminated with 750 ppb of deoxynivalenol (Vandenbroucke et al., 2011). Therefore, having a mycotoxin risk management program in place is essential to support intestinal integrity.

Properly developed mucosal immune system

The mucosal immune system is composed of the immune cells (e.g. lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells) that surround the intestinal epithelium, and the sites for recruitment of those immune cells (e.g. Peyer’s patch, mesenteric lymph node; Figure 2). In mammals, the mucosal immune system is well-organized and sophisticated, working in two ways. The first is a quick but non-specific response (innate) and the second is a long-term, more specific response (adaptive).

Increasing the weaning age allows the mucosal immune system to develop properly. The immune system should be sufficiently able to fight a pathogen without over-stimulation, which causes unnecessary inflammation and is energetically costly. Therefore, adding phytogenic compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, and using omega-3 fats in the diets is recommended to reduce inflammation.

Table 1.Strategies to improve gut health in an ABF pork production system

Table 2. Most common gastrointestinal pathogens observed in swine

The use of vaccines helps the immune system to respond faster and more specifically to a pathogen. The vaccines induce the immune system to produce B and T lymphocytes (white blood cells) that are specific for a pathogen. B lymphocytes produce antibodies that can be released into the surroundings, whereas T lymphocytes possess receptors that identify the pathogen and once activated, they proliferate very quickly to attack the pathogen (Figure 2).

Today, there are vaccines for most of the common gastrointestinal pathogens found in swine (Table 2). The vaccines for pathogens that are a risk for the nursing pig (E. coli and C. perfringens) are given to the sow during gestation. In the post-weaning period, common vaccines applied to the pigs are Porcine circovirus 2, E. coli (K88, K99, 987P, F41), and Ileitis. It is important to consider that the efficacy of vaccines can decrease due to immune suppression caused by stressors. Mycotoxins decrease the activity of B and T lymphocytes. For instance, fumonisin has been found to reduce antibody production of Mycoplasma agalactiae (Taranu et al., 2005). Therefore, a vaccine program must be supported by a mycotoxin risk management program.

Healthy gut, more nutrient absorption

An intuitive way to determine gut health is by looking at the intestinal morphology, which is determined by the length of villi and the depth of crypt (Figure 3). In the absence of stressors, the cells lining the intestine can preserve their structure and functionality. The longer length of the villi is interpreted as a larger surface area for nutrient absorption. Intestinal morphology reveals that the first three components are in harmony and that the pig possesses a healthier gut for nutrient absorption and utilization.

Phytogenic compounds have numerous beneficial properties that support gut health, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. A deliberate combination of phytogenic compounds can provide a comprehensive approach to supporting gut health. The phytogenic blend offered by BIOMIN, Digestarom® DC Xcel has shown to increase villus height by 15% (Figure 3). The improvements in intestinal morphology had a direct effect on nitrogen retention (nitrogen intake – nitrogen excretions). These results validate that more nutrients were utilized for pig growth, as the pigs supplemented with Digestarom® DC Xcel weighed 1.18kg more in terms of body weight at d 35 postweaning (Figure 4).

Figure 4.Body weight of pigs at day 35 post-weaning

Summary

The profitability of ABF pork production can be easily affected during a health challenge. Implementation of a comprehensive gut health program is essential in ABF pork production to prevent enteric challenges. Table 1 summarizes useful strategies that directly impact each of the components of gut health. Producers must evaluate and determine suitability of the recommended strategies and their combination in their own production system. BIOMIN offers a combination of innovative products and on-site support to help customers reach their long-term goals.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPigsArticlesnews-1864Mon, 26 Feb 2018 08:48:00 +0100BIOMIN Actively Engages with Customers in East India by Participating at Kolkata Poultry EXPOhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-actively-engages-with-customers-in-east-india-by-participating-at-kolkata-poultry-expo/
By participating at the Paschim Banga Poultry Mela 2018 at Kolkata, innovative feed additive producer BIOMIN showed its commitment to the customers in east India and the high importance accorded to this region by the company.Feb 22, 2018 BIOMIN utilized the three-day expo Paschim Banga Poultry Mela, which began on February 15, as a platform to reach out to customers and provide solutions to the energetic poultry industry in east India. The company's sales team from east India touched base with the number of visitors and explained about BIOMIN products and solutions for sustainable growth of the poultry industry here.

The Paschim Banga Poultry Mela is a vibrant expo organized by West Bengal Poultry Federation in association with Animal Resources Development Department, Government of West Bengal. Apart from customers and visitors from east India, this expo also attracts visitors from neighboring Nepal.

To efficiently provide support to the customers and visitors at the expo, a BIOMIN booth was displayed at a prominent space in Hall-A. The customers and visitors were given a warm welcome at the booth and the team helped them to find the right solutions.

In the backdrop of the 2017 BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey pointing out that 71% of samples from India contained at least one mycotoxin to pose a risk to animal health or performance, the BIOMIN team explained the visitors about the importance of Mycofix® product line in mycotoxin risk management.

This specially developed Mycofix® line of feed additives protect animal health by deactivating mycotoxins found in contaminated feed and is suitable for use in poultry, pig and ruminant feed as well as fish and shrimp diets.

Commenting on the company's presence at the Paschim Banga Poultry Mela, Dr Sujit Kulkarni, Managing Director, BIOMIN India said that reaching out to customers at their doorstep is important.

"East India, especially the state of West Bengal has vibrant presence in poultry segment and by exhibiting at this expo BIOMIN reiterates its commitment to the industry in this part of India and the importance we accord to the customers here," stated Dr Kulkarni.

According to Dr Kulkarni, BIOMIN customers receive consistent technical support from the company. "Our technical experts from BIOMIN Asia Pacific regularly visit the farms of customers and offer solutions to the issues faced by them," he added.

BIOMIN is already one of the world's top three players in phytogenic feed additives (PFAs). Due to growing awareness in India to reduce antibiotic usage, to enhance gut health and to support animal health, performance and profit, the Digestarom®, Digestarom® DC and PoultryStar® line of products from BIOMIN have been recognized by farmers.

Edward Manchester, Regional Director, BIOMIN Asia Pacific said that exhibiting at expos such as Paschim Banga Poultry Mela gives BIOMIN an edge as it helps to reach out to large number of farmers.

"Our participation at this expo has built confidence among the farmers and our customers, which in turn has brought us closer to them. We are excited to provide information about the Digestarom® product lines of BIOMIN, since phytogenics are a big area of focus for us," he underlined. He added that BIOMIN is well positioned in the market to offer solutions to meet the customers' requirements.

He noted that customers in India are increasingly engaging on the company's social media profile pages and pointed out that this is an interesting trend.

According to him, in line with the company's growth trajectory, BIOMIN constantly expands the team in India to provide support to customers.

Digestarom®, the phytogenic product line of BIOMIN, a world leader in gut performance management is a rapidly growing area in India. In November 2017, BIOMIN introduced its innovative, next generation phytogenic feed additive, Digestarom® DC, to the Indian feed and livestock sectors.

With the growing awareness among producers to reduce antibiotics and to enhance gut performance, the feed additive producer BIOMIN is confident to become the top company in the phytogenic feed additive (PFA) space by 2020 by providing profitable, sustainable solutions to the industry.

]]>MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsPress Releasesnews-1852Fri, 23 Feb 2018 16:01:00 +0100The Most Popular Mycotoxin Mitigation Method May Surprise Youhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/the-most-popular-mycotoxin-mitigation-method-may-surprise-you/
During the Mycotoxin Outlook 2018 webinar sessions hosted by BIOMIN and Romer Labs on 14 February 2018, we asked the audience -hundreds of industry practitioners from around the globe- several poll questions about their mycotoxin risk management practices.Photo: iStockphoto_suriyasilsaksom

The results to the third poll question shed light on how common mycotoxin contamination problems are for the food and feed industries.

The live results during both sessions presented somewhat different pictures when it comes to counteraction and prevention practices. When we aggregated response data from the two sessions, an unexpected finding emerged.

Session 1 results

In the first session, the strategy preference among attendees was almost equally divided among 3 options -a mycotoxin binder added to feed, a multi-strategy mycotoxin deactivation feed additive and good quality control/feed management- in that order.

Table 1. In the past 12 months, which mycotoxin mitigation methods have you used? AM results

Method

% of respondents

A mycotoxin binder added to feed

33%

Good quality control, feed management

33%

A multi-strategy mycotoxin deactivation feed additive

29%

Currently looking for a solution

18%

Mycotoxins are not an issue for us

5%

Source: Mycotoxin Outlook 2018 webinar session 1 poll question 3

SESSION 2 RESULTS

In the second session, which had a greater number of participants from the Western Hemisphere, good quality control took the top spot, quickly followed by mycotoxin binder and then a multi-strategy mycotoxin deactivation feed additive.

Table 2. In the past 12 months, which mycotoxin mitigation methods have you used? PM results

Method

% of respondents

Good quality control, feed management

40%

A mycotoxin binder added to feed

38%

A multi-strategy mycotoxin deactivation feed additive

31%

Currently looking for a solution

16%

Mycotoxins are not an issue for us

10%

Source: Mycotoxin Outlook 2018 webinar session 2 poll question 3

Surprising aggregate results

What was less apparent during the live sessions was that -unlike the first two poll questions- here poll question 3 allowed for multiple choice. Many webinar attendees selected two, three or even four choices when answering the question-something we weren't able to devote much time to during the live discussion.

Once we complied the aggregate results from both sessions, a surprising finding jumped out: a combination of strategies was the most popular answer to the question of which methods attendees had used in the past year.

Figure 1. In the past 12 months, which mycotoxin mitigation methods have you used? (both sessions)

By a slight margin, a combination of strategies ranked as the top method for mycotoxin mitigation; 21.6% of respondents. Admittedly, this category includes a variety of combinations. Among the top combinations were: 1) a binder plus a multi-strategy mycotoxin deactivator, and 2) a binder plus a multi-strategy mycotoxin deactivator plus quality control and feed management - followed by another 15 permutations.

Use of a mycotoxin binder and good quality control/feed management ranked as second and third most popular mitigation methods, at 21.2% and 19.6%, respectively.

Why a combination makes sense

Both regular testing of feed ingredients and the use of mycotoxin deactivators in animal diets are important components of a robust mycotoxin risk management program. These reflect the core competencies of Romer Labs and BIOMIN, respectively.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryBlog Postsnews-1850Thu, 22 Feb 2018 10:20:00 +010061% of Those Polled Had a Mycotoxin Issue in the Past Yearhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/61-of-those-polled-had-a-mycotoxin-issue-in-the-past-year/
During the Mycotoxin Outlook 2018 webinar sessions hosted by BIOMIN and Romer Labs on 14 February 2018, we asked the audience –hundreds of industry practitioners from around the globe— several poll questions about their mycotoxin risk management practices. The results to the first poll question shed light on how common mycotoxin contamination problems are for the food and feed industries.

Figure 1. Have you encountered a problem with mycotoxins in the past 12 months?

Source: Mycotoxin Outlook 2018 webinar poll question 1

Yes—mycotoxins identified

The fact that the majority of participants (61%) answered ‘yes’ that they had encountered a mycotoxin issue reflects the widespread prevalence of mycotoxins in finished feed and raw commodity samples, as documented in the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey results.

Maybe—mycotoxins suspected

For 17% of attendees, mycotoxins may have been an issue for their operations in the past 12 months. That mycotoxins are a suspected culprit is not surprising. Low doses of mycotoxins have a range of effects on farm animals, including:

No—mycotoxins not detected

Fortunately, 22% of participants said that they had not encountered an issue. Yet, the presence of masked mycotoxins –those that are not readily detected by conventional methods— could unknowingly be threatening animals.

To form masked mycotoxin, a sugar molecule is attached to the conventional mycotoxin. For DON the masked form is DON-3-glucoside. Once the masked form is ingested with the feed, the sugar breaks off and the mycotoxin is released into the gastrointestinal tract. Figure 2 shows the process of masked mycotoxin formation and its release in the animal’s body.

The only way to safeguard your animals against masked mycotoxins is with the preventive application of a multi-strategy mycotoxin deactivator.

Stay up-to-date on mycotoxin occurrence Mycotoxin prevalence changes from season to season. You can get the latest results of the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey –the most comprehensive and longest running source for mycotoxin prevalence data—delivered on your smartphone or tablet by downloading the free Mycofix® app.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-1853Wed, 21 Feb 2018 10:53:00 +0100Experts explore the Asian Protein Economy - Asia Nutrition Forum 2017http://www.biomin.net/cz/videa/experts-explore-the-asian-protein-economy-asia-nutrition-forum-2017/
Video recordings of presentations held during the Asia Nutrition Forum 2017 in Taipei, Taiwan.MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureVideosnews-1849Sun, 18 Feb 2018 09:05:00 +01003 Tips for Surviving the Vitamin A & E Supply Crisishttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/3-tips-for-surviving-the-vitamin-a-e-supply-crisis/
A supply disruption of Vitamin A and Vitamin E has led to higher prices, presenting a clear challenge to nutritionists and feed formulators in many markets around the globe. Here we examine the role of Vitamin A and Vitamin E in animal diets, requirements per species, and 3 tips for adjusting animal feed recipes to cope successfully with the challenge. Photo: iStockphoto_Vrender

It’s not uncommon to use Vitamin E as a stabilizer for oxidative-sensitive constituents like fats, oils, full fat soja beans, rapeseeds, grains, corn (maize) etc.

Instead, replace Vitamin E with artificial antioxidants that serve the same purpose, such as BHA, BHT, Propyl gallate, or ascorbic acid.

A complete list of antioxidants can be found in the EU Register of Feed Additives in the category of functional feed additives, group 1b, on page 72.

Similarly, consider using more Vitamin C or ascorbic acid in the diets.

Tip 3: Use novel polyphenol products and natural antioxidants to support or spare Vitamin E

Note: this method is not scientifically proven. However, some support the idea of using novel polyphenol products and natural antioxidants in order to achieve a ‘vitamin sparing’ effect.

If you want to pursue this strategy, start by looking at these options:

Grape kernel products

Grape extracts

Rosemary oil

Resveratrol

Ultimately, Vitamin A and Vitamin E production will likely recover—and hopefully bring relief to feed formulators. These tips may help you during the bridge period. Good luck.

]]>PhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-1847Thu, 15 Feb 2018 11:03:00 +0100Mycotoxin Outlook 2018: The Rise of Fumonisins - Webinar Recordingshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/videa/mycotoxin-outlook-2018-the-rise-of-fumonisins-webinar-recordings/
On 14 February 2018, BIOMIN and Romer Labs hosted live webinar featuring an in-depth discussion on mycotoxin occurrence patterns, the latest annual results of the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey, the outlook for 2018 and detection tools to better understand and control the risk of contamination in raw materials and feed.

Speakers:

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureVideosnews-1848Wed, 14 Feb 2018 13:45:00 +0100BIOMIN Global Mycotoxin Survey Highlights Possible Threats Present in Feed http://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-global-mycotoxin-survey-highlights-possible-threats-present-in-feed/
14 February 2018 - Mycotoxin-related threats to the health and performance of farm animals continue to pose a challenge to the industry, according to the newly released annual results of the 2017 BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey. "While the exact mycotoxin contamination pattern varies from one region to another and from one farm to the next, the results indicate that the mycotoxin threat should not be ignored," cautioned Ines Taschl, Mycotoxin Risk Management Product Manager at BIOMIN.

Of the 18757 finished feed and raw commodity samples sourced from 72 countries, a full 62% of samples contained at least one mycotoxin present in sufficient concentrations to pose a risk to animal health or performance.

Main trends

Average concentrations of fumonisins in corn (maize) have risen from 993 parts per billion (ppb) in 2015 to 3095 in 2017.

Mycotoxin contamination of soybeanmeal is higher than in years past, with 83% of samples from South America testing above recommended threshold levels for deoxynivalenol.

There has been an increased prevalence of T-2 toxin in cereals and deoxynivalenol in corn versus 2016.

Multiple mycotoxin occurrence

A full 71% of samples contained two or more mycotoxins. Multiple mycotoxin contamination of feed presents additional problems, as certain combinations of mycotoxins are known to have synergistic effects that aggravate the negative consequences for animals.

"The reality is that you're rarely, if ever, dealing with a single mycotoxin contamination. Mycotoxin contamination typically involves multiple mycotoxins, which can magnify the harm to farm animals" observed Ms Taschl. "The best way to protect your animals is to select a mycotoxin solution that relies on multiple strategies to counteract different types of mycotoxins," she explained.

About the survey

The annual BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey constitutes the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind, using advanced analytic tools on more than 18757 samples taken from 72 countries worldwide. The survey results provide insights on the incidence of the six major mycotoxins in the agricultural commodities used for livestock feed. Over 73692 analyses were conducted to identify the presence and potential risk posed to livestock animal production.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-1841Wed, 14 Feb 2018 11:07:00 +0100The Global Mycotoxin Threat 2018 [Infographic]http://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/the-global-mycotoxin-threat-2018-infographic/
Infographic about the results of the annual BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey - the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind.The survey results provide insights on the incidence of the six major mycotoxins in the agricultural commodities used for livestock feed in order to identify the potential risk posed to livestock animal production.]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureArticlesnews-1835Wed, 14 Feb 2018 11:06:00 +01002017 BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Resultshttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/2017-biomin-mycotoxin-survey-results/
The latest edition of the annual survey, covering 18757 agricultural commodity samples from 72 countries with over 73000 analyses, highlights the main dangers from the most important mycotoxins in primary feedstuffs and their potential risk to livestock animal production.The survey results provide an insight on the incidence of aflatoxins (Afla), zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2), fumonisins (FUM) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in the primary components used for feed which include corn (maize), wheat, barley, rice, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, dried distillers grains (DDGS) and silage, among others.

Figure 1. Global map of mycotoxin occurrence and risk in different regions. Squares indicate how many % of the analyzed samples of the region were contaminated with the respective mycotoxins Colors indicate different risk levels according to the legend below.

Recommended risk threshold of major mycotoxins in ppb

Afla

ZEN

DON

T-2

FUM

OTA

2

50

150

50

500

10

Revised Legend:

Moderate risk = 0-25% of samples above risk threshold

High risk = 26-50% of samples above risk threshold

Severe risk = 51-75% of samples above risk threshold

Extreme risk = 76-100% of samples above risk threshold

Risk levels

Because of the powerful sensitivity of state-of-the-art detection tools, it is no longer sufficient to talk about the mere presence of mycotoxins; concentration levels must be considered. Consequently, the latest results feature a mycotoxin risk map based upon both the presence of mycotoxins and their potential harm to livestock depending on concentration levels associated with known health risks.

Figure 1 shows mycotoxin occurrence data for each region as a percentage of all samples tested. The overall risk level for a particular region (indicated by color according to legend) is determined by the percentage of mycotoxins which exceed the risk threshold levels for livestock. The risk thresholds are based on worldwide practical experience in the field and in scientific trials that were conducted to reflect as closely as possible field situations and take into account the most sensitive species for each mycotoxin.

The average risk levels used as a basis do not preclude specific, severe instances of mycotoxin contamination in farm or fields locally, nor do they account for the negative impacts of multiple mycotoxin presence.

The mycotoxin risk map relies upon single mycotoxin occurrence which may understate the threat posed by mycotoxins to animals given their known synergistic effects (the presence of multiple mycotoxins compounds the potential harm) and subclinical effects (even low levels of mycotoxin contamination can impair animal health and performance).

Regional insights

North America and East Asia faces the most severe threat of mycotoxin-related risks to livestock. Both regions are suffering an extreme risk, as more than 75% of all tested samples showed a contamination level above the risk threshold levels. Table 1 provides an overview on the number of samples tested, occurrence, average contamination levels and maximum contamination values. Fumonisins and deoxynivalenol are the top threats in all.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquacultureBlog Postsnews-1839Tue, 13 Feb 2018 09:07:00 +0100Fusarium mycotoxins continues to be the main threat to SE Asian aquaculturehttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/fusarium-mycotoxins-continues-to-be-the-main-threat-to-se-asian-aquaculture/
In the recent publication at World Mycotoxin Journal, BIOMIN experts, led by Rui A. Gonçalves, reveal the most recent conclusions of their survey study on plant-based meals and finished feeds in SE Asian aquaculture.

Figure 1:Fusarium verticillioides colony. F. verticillioides is well known for its capacity to produce DON and FUM.

Authors acknowledge that the awareness of mycotoxin-related issues in aquaculture industry is growing, as manufacturers and producers realize the importance of mycotoxins, beyond aflatoxin, and their potential to impact production. However, there are still some erroneous concepts in the aquaculture industry and because of that is so important to identify the industry doubts and correctly address them.

Wrong concepts or misinformation?

One of the main concepts deeply entrenched across the aquaculture sector is that the majority of mycotoxin issues are the result of poor storage conditions leading to aflatoxin contamination. Consequently this wrong assumption brings consequences when the aqua sector professionals seek solutions for mycotoxin management as adsorption, the most common approach to deal with aflatoxins, is not a feasible strategy to tackle Fusarium mycotoxins. However, it remains true that poor storage conditions can lead to the growth of Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp., which can ultimately lead to the production of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, the present observations shows that most of the mycotoxins found in finished feeds come from raw materials used to produce feeds.

Mycotoxin contamination in previous years

In previous assessments of mycotoxin contamination in the aquaculture sector (Gonçalves et al. 2016 and 2017), we found that in SE Asian samples, soybean meal, wheat, wheat bran, maize, corn gluten meal, rapeseed/canola meal and rice bran were mostly contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins (ZEN, DON and FUM). The only exception was cottonseed meal which was mainly contaminated by AF together with other Fusarium toxins (ZEN and DON) in considerable amounts. Finished feed samples were also mainly contaminated by Fusarium mycotoxins, reflecting the use of plant meals.

Processing conditions does not affect mycotoxins

The fact of observing relative high occurrence levels of Fusarium mycotoxins in the feeds, confirms that mycotoxin contamination found in these finished feeds is mostly related to the plant-based raw materials used in their formulation since Fusarium fungi are generally an issue in the field rather than in storage. This reinforces the reminder that mycotoxins commonly occurring in plant stuffs are not destroyed during most processing operations. On the contrary, processing affects mycotoxins distribution and concentrates mycotoxins into fractions that are commonly used as animal feed (plant by-products; e.g. corn gluten meal, DDGS, etc). The fate of mycotoxins in feedstuffs is variable and affected by several factors such as the type of mycotoxins, the level and extent of fungal contamination, and the complexity of the cereal processing technology. As a result, the use of mold inhibitors does not guarantee that feed is free of mycotoxins, as they are also produce in crops and not destroyed during processing, however, will avoid the production of storage mycotoxins (e.g., AF, OTA).

Figure 2: Fusarium Ear Rot in corn, is the most common fungal disease on corn ears, caused by Fusarium verticillioides and several other Fusarium species. Infection can occur under a wide range of environmental conditions.

BIOMIN objectives for 2016 Aqua samples

As the contamination of aquafeeds and plant-based feedstuffs with mycotoxins (for aquaculture use) is, in general, often neglected. At BIOMIN we are interested in fulfill this gaps in order to understand how to better manage the mycotoxin risk in aquaculture. Therefore, the objective of published work was to analyze the risk of mycotoxin contamination in conventional plant ingredients used for aquafeeds (as done in the past). However, also analyzing the by-products of these commodities, which are starting to be used in aquafeeds due to their better price and availability, was also conducted. Particular attention was also given to local non-conventional meals and aquaculture by-products (e.g., shrimp head meals, sun dried fishmeal, etc). Beside the most common mycotoxins (AF, ZEN, FUM and DON) we enlarged our goal to analyze 18 mycotoxins per sample in order to understand the occurrence of masked and alternative metabolites of mycotoxins in these aquaculture feedstuffs. Additionally, finished feeds for fish and shrimp were also analyzed. Due to the increasing globalization of trade, and the incorporation of imported raw materials into aquafeeds, the mycotoxin contamination of locally produced commodities was compared to the same imported commodities.

Within the analyzed samples, only 4% were free of detectable mycotoxins. Eight percent of the samples had one mycotoxin and 88% of the samples were contaminated with more than one mycotoxin. The current work show similarity to previous studies, that mycotoxin occurrence in plant-meals, and consequently in finished feeds, is quite variable and confirms that AF is not the main mycotoxin in aquafeeds. Mycotoxin occurrences in fish and shrimp feeds in the present samples were higher than reported in the previous studies for the same region. In samples of shrimp feed with DON detected, the mean average DON level was 882 μg/kg with a maximum level of 2,287 μg/kg. These values are within the reported sensitivity levels of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).

Mycotoxins on untypical ingredients

Shrimp head meal and fishmeal produced by grinding sun-dried fish, while not being a typical product to analyze for the presence of mycotoxin, it is known that their presence is possible (Fegan and Spring 2007; BIOMIN survey data; data not published). Is theoretical expected that these ingredients might include mycotoxins such as AF and OTA, as they are produced by molds for example Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. which can occur in poor storage conditions. However, the samples analyzed in the present survey contained FB1 and FB2 which are toxins produced by Fusarium molds, which are generally related to field contamination of crops rather than storage. Interestingly, Fegan and Spring (2007) also reported several marine derived samples from fishmeal and shrimp meal contaminated with mycotoxins produced by Fusarium spp.. It's known that Fusarium strains namely F. oxysporum and F. solani, are opportunistic pathogens for fish and shrimp (Hatai et al., 1986; Lightner, 1996; Ostland et al., 1987; Souheil et al., 1999), however, therese fungi strain ability to produce toxins is not known, however this hypothesis cannot be totally rejected. However the authors also believe the possibility for FUM contamination through bioaccumulation. Recently, Michelin et al. (2017) showed that lambari fish (Astyanax altiparanae) fed more than 50 µg of AFB1 per kg of feed, presented AFB1 in muscle after 120 days in similar levels as in feed. FB clearance kinetics of fish and shrimp is not known, however, this is something that should be further researched.

How to fight Fusarium?

Fusarium mycotoxins are a broad class of compounds with different chemical structures, physical and toxicological proprieties. Due to this great diversity, different detoxification strategies are required to deal with this complex group of compounds. Adsorption is the most common approach to deal with mycotoxins and many products using this strategy are available on the market. However, as proved by several studies (Veikiru et al. 2015; Hahn et al. 2015; Fruhauf et al. 2011), adsorption is not a feasible strategy to tackle fusarium mycotoxins, as it is only effective towards aflatoxins and, to a lesser extent, ochratoxins. The reason relates to these mycotoxins' flat chemical structure that allows them to be captured between the layers of bentonite-a popular binder material. Once the mycotoxin enters the binder layers, the electric force generated by the atoms of both compounds tightens the bond. The less flat chemical structure of other mycotoxins like deoxynivalenol (DON) or zearalenone (ZEN) results in less effective adsorption.

Some governmental authorities -particularly the EU Commission- have recognized this issue, which is why only aflatoxin binding claims are allowed in Europe. The state-of-the-art technology for mycotoxin deactivation uses enzymatic deactivation -or biotransformation- that provides a specific, effective and irreversible degradation of mycotoxins. BIOMIN is the only company to date that has feed additives legally recognized and registered in the EU for their ability to safely and effectively counteract mycotoxins.

Mycotoxin management in aquaculture: only starting!!

Drawing ﬁrm conclusions about the impact of mycotoxins in aquaculture is still difficult and much more research is still needed. However, even with the few existing pieces of literature and the knowledge already created around this topic, it is clear that the mycotoxin levels found in finished feeds might negatively influence the aquaculture industry, affecting growth performance, feed efficiency and making animals more susceptible to diseases. The recently published manuscript (DOI 10.3920/WMJ2017.2239) presents some limitations (limited number of samples and short period of sample collection), however, for the very first time we can inform the aquaculture sector for the presence of mycotoxins in locality-specific and aquaculture-specific plant materials, and we encourage frequent monitoring these plant meals for the presence of mycotoxins. A more extensive study, with a longer sampling period and higher number of samples is being implemented at the moment in order to support the preliminary data collected and presented at this manuscript.

]]>MycotoxinsAquacultureArticlesnews-1825Mon, 05 Feb 2018 09:57:00 +0100Probiotics to Boost Immune Fitness and Gut Healthhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/clanky/probiotics-to-boost-immune-fitness-and-gut-health/
Despite growing trends in probiotic use, their application in aquafeeds has been constrained by the aggressive feed manufacture process, which kills or maims heat sensitive bacteria. Recently, advances in post pellet application and other technologies are overcoming this hurdle and the benefits are being observed around the world.Probiotics offer feed millers the opportunity to produce value added functional feeds. Once the feed is consumed, a successful probiotic will colonize the intestinal tract and exert a number of benefits, often relating to enhanced immunity and disease resistance.

The intestine is one of the main portals of entry for invading pathogens. In order to successfully infect the host, a pathogen must navigate and survive multiple obstacles and attacks, executed by the host’s immune system.

Innate immune response = 1st consideration

As with mammals, the fish immune system can be separated by innate (non-specific) and adaptive (specific) responses. Compared to mammals, fish are more dependent on the innate immune response for two main reasons. First, the innate immune system has developed to be non-specific and is therefore capable of mounting an immune response against a wide range of pathogens. Secondly, due to the ectothermic nature of fish, adaptive immunity can take considerable time. For example, antibody production in salmonids can take up to six weeks, compared to just hours or days for the innate immune system.

Reinforcing the first line of defense

The mucus layer produced by goblet cells provides the immediate line of defense. The mucus functions to trap and remove pathogens by providing both a physical and chemical barrier, since it contains a number of antimicrobial compounds. This mucus layer can be modified by the commensal microbiota as well as probiotic bacteria. For example, after feeding tilapia with a commercial probiotic for five weeks, it was discovered that there were approximately 60% more goblet cells in the intestine (Figure 1). These additional goblet cells could contribute to a greater production of mucus, thus providing a more impenetrable barrier, potentially retarding pathogens and preventing their attachment to the underlying epithelia.

Figure 1. The abundance of goblet cells and IELs (per 100µm) in the intestine of fish fed with and without dietary probiotics. Source: BIOMIN

Strengthening the barrier: microvilli density

Beneath the mucus layer, lies the epithelia, primarily consisting of enterocytes. These cells are lined with microvilli. Using electron microscopy, it was shown that the probiotic significantly increases microvilli density in the gut. The benefit of this increase is two-fold. First more numerous microvilli will increase the surface area so the host can acquire more nutrients from the feed. Second, any gaps between microvilli present an opportunity for pathogens to translocate the epithelia and infect the fish (Figure 2). Thus a higher microvilli density, caused by the probiotic, contributes to a more efficient barrier between the inside of the gut and the outside, blocking pathogens.

Larger leukocyte infantry

Assuming a pathogen was able to breach the epithelia, an army of white blood cells, collectively known as intra-epithelial leucocytes (IELs), would be waiting to attack the pathogen. Our research at Plymouth University consistently demonstrated that tilapia feeds supplemented with probiotics resulted in significantly larger populations of IEL. This increase was between 22-38% depending on the probiotic dosage, as well as the duration of feeding (Figure 1).

Better immune readiness

All pathogens express pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on their cell surface. These are recognized by their respective receptor molecules such as TLR’s which notify the host on the pathogen type (i.e. bacterial, viral, fungal etc.; Figure 3). Intestinal gene expression analyses, show that probiotics can up-regulate the expression of TLR2 by approximately five-fold in tilapia. TLR2 is important for recognizing Gram-positive bacteria. This is particularly important because tilapia (along with many other warm water species) are susceptible to a number of Gram-positive infections, most notably Streptococcus.

Once activated, TLR’s initiate a number of molecular pathways which result in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The same probiotic addition to tilapia diets caused an increase in pro-inflammatory gene expression, IL-1β and TNFα. These data are suggestive of a fish which is more prepared to fight off potential future pathogens since the host can recognize and clear the threat much more rapidly, thus it has greater immune readiness.

Getting the right balance

The gut is home to a large number of commensal microorganisms. It is important that these are protected by the host as they provide important functions in intestinal development, nutrition and immunity. Anti-inflammatory cytokines are part of a tolerance mechanism which acts to de-sensitize the host, thus it does not initiate an immune response to attack ‘good’ bacteria. Furthermore, they act to balance out the pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus maintaining an equilibrium within the mucosal immune system.

In vivo trials using tilapia, demonstrates that the gene expression of two anti-inflammatory genes, IL-10 and TGFβ, can also be increased by the addition of AquaStar® Growout. This result tells us two things; firstly, that the host does not see the probiotics as a threat and secondly that the probiotics can help to promote and maintain mucosal tolerance.

Figure 3. Modulation of intestinal immunity through TLR signaling. Pathogens (and probiotics) bind to TLR. Upon activation, adaptor proteins such as myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MYD88) are recruited. When this happens, IkB (inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB)) is phosphorylated (P) and degraded by the cell. This allows NFkB to pass from the cytoplasm into the nucleus of the cell where initiates the cytokine transcription. Source: adapted from Cerf-Bensussan & Gaboriau-Routhiau, 2010.

Overall immune fitness: an extension of gut health

If a pathogen is successful in overcoming the localized immune system (i.e. within the gut), it is then at the mercy of the systemic immune system. In fish, this is controlled by the head kidney. Therefore, head kidney tissues were also analyzed for immune related gene expression. Similar to the gut, RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that the gene expression of immunity genes (TLR2, pro- and anti-inflammatory) were all elevated in probiotic fed fish. This reveals that probiotics can have a wide reaching benefit on host immunity, not just in localized tissues where the initial exposure occurred, but also at the whole organism level.

Conclusion

Probiotics can improve the intestinal barrier function, promote a state of superior immune readiness and enhance tolerance mechanisms, both within the intestine and other immuno-important tissues. This opens the door to healthier animals, fewer instances of disease and less chemotherapeutical intervention in aquaculture production.

In 2017, 69% of samples analyzed tested positive for fumonisins, up from 61% the year prior.

Fumonisins, which are produced by Fusarium proliferatum and F. verticilloides, predominantly contaminate corn (maize), corn by-products and soy. They constitute the second most commonly found mycotoxin: deoxynivalenol, also known as vomitoxin, consistently ranks as the most common mycotoxin globally.

Fumonisin trend in all regions

“The shift in the composition of the mycotoxin threat is noticeable when comparing data sets over the years, and the trend towards higher fumonisins levels globally can be observed in every region,” stated Ms Taschl.

Regional examples of fumonisins on the rise:

In North America, 46% of samples analyzed tested positive for fumonisins at an average concentration of 2187 parts per billion ppb in 2016, reaching 52% of samples at an average of 2441 ppb in 2017.

97% of corn samples in Asia Pacific tested positive for fumonisins.

In Argentina, the average concentration of fumonisins rose from 1808 ppb in 2016 to 2800 ppb in 2017.

The prevalence of fumonisins in Central Europe has increased steadily since 2015.

“While fumonisins are typically found in warmer climates, they have been recorded at greater frequency in more moderate zones,” she explained.

The maximum value registered for fumonisins was 290517 ppb, sourced from a finished feed sample in the United States.

Live webinar and survey results

On 14 February 2018, BIOMIN and Romer Labs will host a live webinar on the rise of fumonisins, detection methods and the latest annual results of the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey.

Two online sessions are offered in order to facilitate participation from various time zones, and the webinar is free to attend. Online registration is required at www.biomin.net. Webinar attendees will be the first to receive the 2017 BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey report.

About the survey

The annual BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey constitutes the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind. The survey results provide insights on the incidence of the six major mycotoxins in the agricultural commodities used for livestock feed in order to identify the potential risk posed to livestock animal production.

]]>MycotoxinsSpeciesPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-1821Thu, 01 Feb 2018 16:31:00 +0100Job clip - Product Managerhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/videa/job-clip-product-manager/
Luis talks about being a Product Manager at BIOMINTopicsSpeciesVideosnews-1820Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:36:00 +0100BIOMIN Expands Presence and Strengthens Commitment in Beneluxhttp://www.biomin.net/cz/tiskove-zpravy/biomin-expands-presence-and-strengthens-commitment-in-benelux/
Uden/Getzersdorf 1 February 2018 – Innovative animal nutrition firm BIOMIN has announced the build out of its local presence in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, as part of its strengthened commitment to serving feed and animal protein producers throughout the region.“At BIOMIN, we have made it part of our mission to deliver unmatched service to customers,” explained Dr Hannes Binder, Managing Director of BIOMIN, adding that “alongside providing scientifically advanced products, proximity to customers is a key driver in service excellence.”

“Our decision to bolster our engagement in Benelux markets reflects the service component of BIOMIN culture, the potential we see for growth, and the fact that area is home to a number of large-scale, international feed and livestock companies that have been early adopters of new technologies,” he added.

Reinforcing longstanding relationships

BIOMIN products first became commercially available in Benelux around 1997 through local distribution agreements, beginning with the mycotoxin-deactivating Mycofix®. The product offering expanded over the years to include a full suite of BIOMIN gut performance management solutions: Digestarom®, PoultryStar® and Biotronic®.

“BIOMIN is starting from a strong position when it comes to delivering innovative products to customers in Benelux,” stated Andre van Lankveld, BIOMIN Regional Director Western Europe. “Over the years, integrations, feed mills and farms have embraced the benefits of novel strategies that deactivate mycotoxins and support gut performance. We hope to seize that momentum and unlock further benefits for BIOMIN customers going forward.”

Local BIOMIN presence

One element of the expansion strategy involves the recent creation a local BIOMIN business unit based in Uden, the Netherlands, that affords a central base for on-site visits and customer support throughout the area.

Hans Couwenberg, who joined the firm as Managing Director Benelux in 2017, will lead the BIOMIN activities throughout the area. “I am confident that Hans and the team will bring the competitive advantages that BIOMIN offers –a strong global R&D program, innovative products, technical knowledge sharing and value-adding services— to feed and livestock businesses in Benelux,” commented Mr van Lankveld.

A local presence will also allow BIOMIN to build and enhance important relationships with key opinion leaders and research organizations. Through its R&D activities, BIOMIN has a global network of 200 research organizations.

Direct customer support

For new and existing customers in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, BIOMIN delivers account servicing, order fulfillment and support starting in February 2018.

“We’ve invested considerable effort in ramping up our local capabilities to ensure client service excellence and minimize any potential interruptions,” explained Mr Couwenberg. “Our plans to grow the value proposition for our clients and partners are already in place, and we will work diligently to make them a reality.”

]]>MycotoxinsPhytogenicsProbioticsAcidifiersPoultryRuminantsPigsAquaculturePress Releasesnews-1819Wed, 31 Jan 2018 07:33:00 +0100How the Antibiotic Growth Promoter Ban Affected the Swine Industry in Koreahttp://www.biomin.net/cz/blog-posts/how-the-antibiotic-growth-promoter-ban-affected-the-swine-industry-in-korea/
These numbers show how the swine industry dealt with the ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) that became effective in July 2011. Photo: iStockphoto_Hallshadow

In Korea, antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) have been banned from use in feed since July 2011. Many trials have been conducted to evaluate the impact of the AGP ban on livestock production. Overall, the data shows no difference between AGP and AGP-free feed in terms of production performance (Table 1). For instance, live born piglet numbers per litter and market sold piglets per sow per year (MSY) show similar performance before and after the ban. In some areas, performance indices such as production index of sows and pre-weaning mortality have improved since the AGP ban.

Table 1. Performance of swine production before and after the AGP ban (Kim et al., 2015)

Year

2010

2012

Difference

Live born piglets per litter

10.6

10.6

0%

Pre-weaning mortality (%)

9.7

9.5

-2.1%

Post-weaning mortality (%)

15

16.3

+8.7%

Production index

2.26

2.29

+1.3%

Market sold piglets per sow per year (MSY)

18.5

18.6

+0.5%

These results are easily explained. First, piglet production of sows is not affected by the AGP ban. Improvements in artificial insemination and sow management, as well as genetic advances are increasing sow productivity. Second, AGPs could not deliver direct effects on the pre-weaning mortality of piglets (Che et al., 2012). The AGPs could improve body weight gain and feed efficiency but not mortality at weaning (Stahly et al., 1980). Finally, since MSY is directly related to post-weaning mortality due to infectious diseases, levels are similar after the AGP ban to those recorded when AGPs were still permitted. Consequently, the AGP ban in feed did not bring about a big negative impact on swine productivity. However, we have learnt a lesson to improve MSY by making efforts to decrease post-weaning mortality in order to maximize productivity.

How did Korea implement the AGP ban in feed?

Since 2005, the Korean government has led a project to reduce antibiotic usage in animal production in order to prevent antibiotic resistance problems, and to improve food safety. The government collected figures on antibiotic usage and sales volumes (Table 2) as well as monitoring antibiotic resistance. Eventually, a plan for antibiotic reduction was decided, and the AGP ban in feed was a top priority to deliver maximum impact in the industry. A gradual decrease of antibiotics in feed to minimize any negative impact was started in 2005. There were 25 different antibiotics available for use in feed as AGPs in 2005. In 2009 this was decreased to 19 before the complete ban on antibiotic use for growth promotion was implemented in July 2011.

Up until 2004, the annual amount of AGPs in feed was approximately 48% of total antibiotic usage. Since then it has decreased to only 11% in 2011. Total antibiotic usage in swine production has decreased from nearly 60% to 48% after the AGP ban. The main trend of antibiotic usage has shifted from AGP in feed to treatment and prevention after the AGP ban due to new regulation of veterinary prescriptions. The government has led regulation changes and an expert group is raising awareness of the importance of biosecurity, management, disease prevention and control, and environmental conditions which all help maximize production without the use of antibiotics in the feed.

When it comes to biosecurity, the Korean swine industry learned a lot from the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. Biosecurity has been improved across the country and is now working effectively. The other main change is in the mindset of the farmers for decision-making. For instance, farmers are choosing vaccines for efficacy and not for brand or promotional activities. The farmers are also economically evaluating antibiotic usage for efficacy. Additionally, farmers are looking for alternatives to prevent and control diseases; alternatives such as probiotics, phytogenics, and acidifiers are evaluated at their production sites. The farmers are not experiencing big changes to their production outcomes since the AGP ban.

What are main lessons the rest of the world can learn from Korea?

The whole swine industry in Korea was worried about decreased productivity as well as increased disease prevalence as a result of the AGP ban. There were many objections and arguments continued for over 10 years until AGPs were completely banned in 2011. Since the ban